unprincipled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unprincipled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who lacks moral principles or is unethical in their behavior. Example: "The unprincipled actions of the politician led to widespread public outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Curtis was Sidney Falco, an unprincipled press agent in thrall to (and fear of) the man who could make him king of the jungle, and willing to sell his pride and soul for the title.

The Guardian - Film

Related: Nigerian laureate Wole Soyinka laments 'vicious, unprincipled' election He complained of irregularities, however, including alleged APC voters who were underage or brought in from neighbouring Chad and Niger.

The Guardian

Anwar sued the New Straits Times Press, claiming that a 2002 article examining his ties to a US thinktank made him seem like an "American agent" who was unprincipled and disloyal to Malaysia.

The Guardian

Even then, it was a problem, because the presidents, senators and chancellors were also unprincipled in their behaviour.

The Guardian - Tech

Warsi may be deeply disliked by some senior Tories who see her as vain, unprincipled, self-centred and motivated by animus at her demotion from the party chairmanship in 2012.

The Guardian

When I found a dictionary that had the word "eft" in it I discovered that Charles Kingsley, the professor of modern history from the University of Cambridge, was an unprincipled liar.

The Guardian - Books

The problem is that Brussels has no legal or political toolkit for such interventions; the instruments and strategies it has available can seem unprincipled and opportunistic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Likewise, the anonymous campaigner behind the Tactical Voter Twitter campaign, said: "This is not unprincipled tactical voting but about looking at the long-term future of Scotland.

The Guardian

Disraeli, Gladstone's greatest rival, recoiled from his rhetoric over Bulgaria, calling him an "unprincipled maniac" and "a sophistical rhetorician inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity".

The Economist

He would never do so; because though most leaders were unprincipled weathercocks, he was one of the few unbending signposts, pointing (as Margaret Thatcher had also, but wrongly, pointed) to the promised land.The route he preached was "pure" socialism.

The Economist

She is a rude, unprincipled lightweight, squeal her critics in the ministry.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unprincipled", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a lack of ethical or moral standards. Provide specific examples to support your claim, making the criticism more impactful and credible.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling someone as "unprincipled" without providing concrete instances of their behavior. This can weaken your argument and make it seem like a personal attack rather than an objective assessment.

Linguistic Context

Unprincipled functions primarily as an adjective. It describes a noun (person, action, behavior) as lacking moral principles or ethical standards. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, such as describing politicians, traders, and even historical figures, highlighting its capacity to qualify unethical conduct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Opinion

15%

Politics

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "unprincipled" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of moral values or ethical standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media to critique behaviors in politics and business. While alternatives like "immoral" or "unethical" exist, "unprincipled" specifically emphasizes the absence of guiding principles. When employing this term, it's crucial to provide specific examples to substantiate claims and avoid vague accusations. Used judiciously, "unprincipled" can be a potent descriptor in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Immoral

Indicates a violation of accepted moral standards, similar to "unprincipled" but often broader in scope.

Scrupulous

Means lacking moral integrity. "Unscrupulous" is a direct antonym of "scrupulous" and is very close to "unprincipled".

Unethical

Specifically relates to professional or workplace standards, whereas "unprincipled" can apply more generally.

Amoral

Indicates a lack of moral sense or concern, differing from "unprincipled" which suggests an active rejection of principles.

Dishonorable

Implies a loss of honor or respect, focusing on reputation more than moral compass.

Unconscionable

Describes behavior that is shockingly unfair or unjust, often stemming from being "unprincipled".

Corrupt

Suggests a state of decay or dishonesty, often in positions of power, which is a more specific application of being "unprincipled".

Deceitful

Focuses on the act of misleading or lying, a common behavior of someone who is "unprincipled".

Treacherous

Suggests betrayal and disloyalty, highlighting a specific type of "unprincipled" behavior.

Ruthless

Emphasizes a lack of compassion or pity, often associated with "unprincipled" actions done for personal gain.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "unprincipled" in a sentence?

Use "unprincipled" to describe actions or individuals that clearly lack moral or ethical standards. For example, "The politician's "unprincipled behavior" led to a loss of public trust." Provide context to illustrate the absence of principles.

What are some alternatives to using "unprincipled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "immoral", "unethical", or "dishonorable". Each carries slightly different connotations, so choose the word that best fits the specific situation.

Is there a difference between "unprincipled" and "amoral"?

"Unprincipled" suggests an active disregard for established moral guidelines, whereas "amoral" implies a lack of moral sense or understanding. Someone who is unprincipled knows the difference between right and wrong but chooses to ignore it; someone who is amoral may not even recognize the distinction.

Can "unprincipled" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "unprincipled" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing ethical breaches or questionable behavior in politics, business, or other professional settings. It's crucial to provide evidence to support your claim.