1
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
unethical treatment of prisoners of war that was a clear violation of international law
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ruthless
not guided by or showing a concern for what is right
an unethical attorney, he had no qualms about getting off clients who he knew were guilty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unethical
False claims risk well-meaning taxpayers financial penalties, while often benefiting unethical tax preparers.
—
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Supplying unclaimed bodies for medical research is widely considered unethical, and most major medical schools — and a few states — have halted the practice.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Dec. 2024
Read Next: Supreme Court Declines to Hear Utah’s Public-Lands Lawsuit
The anti-hound petition filed in Arizona deals in unsupported accusations that hunting with hounds isn’t fair chase, GPS collars are unethical, and so on.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025
Brown attempted to please prosecutors over the years, collecting information from inside or outside the jail in ways legal experts told the Herald was unethical, improper and likely a violation of other inmates’ rights.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unethical 
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Supplying unclaimed bodies for medical research is widely considered unethical, and most major medical schools — and a few states — have halted the practice.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Dec. 2024
Read Next: Supreme Court Declines to Hear Utah’s Public-Lands Lawsuit
The anti-hound petition filed in Arizona deals in unsupported accusations that hunting with hounds isn’t fair chase, GPS collars are unethical, and so on.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025
Brown attempted to please prosecutors over the years, collecting information from inside or outside the jail in ways legal experts told the Herald was unethical, improper and likely a violation of other inmates’ rights.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unethical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unethical
Adjective
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Jeremy Jeffreys, a Placer Union High School District board member who was fired by the district he would be elected to govern, had his teaching credential suspended earlier this month for immoral conduct.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacramento Bee,
3 Feb. 2025
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Silence in the face of this catastrophe is immoral and shameful.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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They are expected to manage the roster with a little more thought paid to player welfare and a little less thought paid to marginal gains and ruthless efficiency.—
Andrew Baggarly,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
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Here's the idea: Buried deep within Starfleet exists an anonymous, ruthless intelligence agency that operates out of sight of most Federation citizens and Starfleet officers.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The federal judge overseeing the states' case temporarily blocked the Trump administration from freezing federal assistance Friday after concluding that OMB's actions were likely unlawful.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2025
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Munoz was arrested on multiple counts, including first-degree kidnapping, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon and burglary, police said.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacramento Bee,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Several leagues away from her time on Game of Thrones, Christie now stars on the Apple TV+ thriller as Lorne, an enigmatic woman in charge of corrupt corporation Lumon’s even more enigmatic goats.—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Feb. 2025
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Worse, some corrupt scientists form peer review rings.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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One of the most recognizable celebrations is lion dance troupes, a dramatic tradition meant to usher in the New Year and expel evil spirits.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
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In defense of my actions, as a general rule, mother-of-the-bride dresses are evil monstrosities.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The concept of sinful sexuality and the lack of education around it is a clever mechanism to disconnect individuals from their inner source of power.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2025
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And in this case, there’s nothing more sinful than talking about LeBron James trades.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The fans were on their feet and roaring after UCLA center Mara threw an outlet pass reminiscent of legendary predecessor Bill Walton to Eric Dailey Jr. for a vicious one-handed dunk.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2025
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Kevon Looney matched his regular season career-high with 18 points and Gary Payton II (15 points, nine rebounds) stamped the game with a vicious slam dunk with under a minute left.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This is a bad bill that’s wasting the time of Annapolis legislators who have much more important issues to resolve for the people of this state.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Feb. 2025
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Listen to this article Things keep getting worse for the Cleveland Browns.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unethical
Cite this Entry
“Unethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unethical. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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