adj
Uncommon
unethical
uhn-EH-thih-kuhl
Unethical (adj) means not conforming to accepted moral or professional standards. Example: “It would be unethical for the doctor to treat a family member for profit.”
adj
1
Not conforming to accepted moral or professional standards.
"It would be unethical for the doctor to treat a family member for profit."
"The report accused the firm of unethical business practices."
How to use unethical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMorally wrong, or against the accepted rules of a profession.
Common mistake
Something can be unethical without being illegal — the two aren't the same.
Common pairings
unethical behaviour
unethical practices
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more unethical
- Superlative
- most unethical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It would be _____ for the doctor to treat a family member for profit.
Etymology
From un- ("not") plus ethical.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unethical
See all rhymes for unethical →Frequently asked questions
What does “unethical” mean?
The word “unethical” means not conforming to accepted moral or professional standards. In plain terms, morally wrong, or against the accepted rules of a profession.
How do you pronounce “unethical”?
“Unethical” is pronounced uhn-EH-thih-kuhl (/ʌnˈɛθɪkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unethical” in a sentence?
Here is “unethical” used in a sentence: “It would be unethical for the doctor to treat a family member for profit.”
What is the opposite of “unethical”?
The opposite of “unethical” — its antonyms — is ethical.
What part of speech is “unethical”?
“Unethical” is an adjective.
Is “unethical” a common word?
“Unethical” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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