unethical tactic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unethical tactic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strategy or method that is morally wrong or dishonest in nature. Example: "The company resorted to an unethical tactic to undermine its competitors, which ultimately damaged its reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Examine good outcomes to ensure they're not driven by unethical tactics.

Harvard Business Review

The A.M.A. strongly disagrees with any implication that licensing our database condones the unethical tactics that certain drug company representatives engage in to entice physicians.

The New York Times

Mr Scarcella, 61, denies ever having used unethical tactics to secure a conviction, but Mr Ranta's trial lawyer has described him as a "cowboy" who "did a lot of bad things".

Independent

The notes suggest, for example, that the prosecutor used racial profiling and other unethical tactics to disqualify black jurors, while searching out racist jurors who would endorse the case against the defendants without question.

The New York Times

Political analysts, pointing to the timing of the release of videos that were evidently collected over a long period, expressed concern about the unethical tactics used to attack the Nationalists.

The New York Times

"This suggests that women did not see unethical tactics as more acceptable when helping others but instead, they lowered their ethical standards because they felt pressured to do so," says Kray.

University of California, Berkeley

But instead of illustrating the differences between the two competing systems by taking the high road, the agency justified its covert activities by referring to the unethical tactics of the Soviets.

The New York Times - Books

Furthermore, our findings indicated that American participants overall reported a significantly lower likelihood of using unethical tactics than Chinese participants did, which is in line with the corresponding images of both countries.

Harvard Business Review

In the court documents, which were originally submitted at a pre-trial hearing and can now be reported, Tulisa's barrister Jeremy Dein QC claimed that Mahmood and his team had used unethical tactics to entrap the singer, including "sex for payment".

Independent

However, "do what it takes," management directives to achieve aggressive goals open the possibility of unethical tactics.

Forbes

Forum members have heard horror stories about annuities being sold to trusting senior citizens by unscrupulous insurance sales agents using unethical tactics.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions that deviate from ethical standards, use "unethical tactic" to specifically denote a strategic move rather than a general behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "unethical tactic" in casual conversation. Opt for more informal alternatives like "dirty trick" or "shady move" for better contextual fit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unethical tactic" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier. It consists of the adjective "unethical" modifying the noun "tactic", describing the nature or quality of the tactic. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unethical tactic" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to describe a strategy or method that is morally wrong or dishonest. Though Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the analyzed data reveals that there are no examples of this phrase. Therefore, while it is acceptable to use, it's important to understand the context in which it is employed. Alternative phrases, such as "immoral method" or "dishonest strategy", can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When using "unethical tactic", consider the formality of the context, opting for more informal terms like "dirty trick" in casual conversations. While primarily functioning as a noun phrase modifier, its communicative purpose is to condemn a behavior as morally reprehensible. Its register is neutral, and its usage is frequent across news, business and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immoral method

Replaces "tactic" with "method", suggesting a more general approach rather than a specific maneuver.

dishonest strategy

Uses "dishonest" instead of "unethical", focusing on the lack of honesty, and replaces "tactic" with "strategy", implying a broader plan.

unprincipled scheme

Emphasizes the lack of principles with "unprincipled" and uses "scheme" to suggest a devious plan.

corrupt practice

Highlights the corruption aspect, replacing "tactic" with "practice", suggesting a habitual action.

fraudulent maneuver

Focuses on deceit with "fraudulent" and uses "maneuver" to describe a skillful but dishonest action.

underhanded approach

Suggests secrecy and deception, with "underhanded" implying a hidden and unfair method.

exploitative ploy

Highlights the exploitation aspect, with "ploy" suggesting a cunning trick to gain an advantage.

manipulative technique

Focuses on the manipulation involved, using "technique" to suggest a specific skill or method used deceptively.

deceptive measure

Emphasizes the misleading nature of the action, with "measure" suggesting a deliberate step taken to deceive.

unscrupulous device

Uses "unscrupulous" to highlight the lack of moral principles and "device" to suggest a contrivance or trick.

FAQs

What does "unethical tactic" mean?

An "unethical tactic" refers to a strategy or method used to achieve a goal that is morally wrong or dishonest.

How can I use "unethical tactic" in a sentence?

Example: "The company resorted to an "unethical tactic" to undermine its competitors, which ultimately damaged its reputation."

What can I say instead of "unethical tactic"?

You can use alternatives like "immoral method", "dishonest strategy", or "unprincipled scheme depending on the context.

Is "unethical tactic" the same as "illegal tactic"?

While an "unethical tactic" may sometimes be illegal, it primarily refers to actions that violate moral principles, whereas an illegal tactic specifically breaks the law.