unethical
gb/ʌnˈɛθɪkəl/ us/ʌnˈɛθɪkəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
morally wrong or unfair
wrong according to moral rules or principles
Usage pattern:
[unethical] [behavior/practice/decision]; it is unethical to [do something]
Common mistake:
Do not use unethical as a noun. Say an unethical decision or the decision is unethical.
Synonyms
immoral (broader and often stronger; not necessarily linked to formal standards)
|
wrong (simpler and more general)
|
dishonest (emphasizes lying, cheating, or deception)
|
unfair (emphasizes unjust treatment)
Antonyms
ethical (morally acceptable and responsible)
|
moral (right according to principles of right and wrong)
|
honest (truthful and free from cheating)
|
fair (just and reasonable toward others)
Collocations
unethical behavior
|unethical practice
|unethical decision
|unethical treatment
|unethical methods
|unethical advertising
|unethical use of data
|clearly unethical
|deeply unethical
|considered unethical
Themes
ethics
|behavior
|society
|justice
Examples
- Using someone else's work without giving credit is unethical.
- Many customers felt the ad was unethical because it targeted vulnerable people.
- It is unethical to lie to people in order to get their money.
Learner examples
- It is unethical to cheat on a test.
- They refused to sell user data because it felt unethical.
adjective
formal
B2
property
2
against professional standards
against the moral rules of a job, organization, or profession
Usage pattern:
[unethical] under [a code/rules]; unethical for [someone] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Unethical does not always mean illegal. Something can be legal but still unethical.
Synonyms
unprofessional (focuses on failing workplace or professional standards)
|
improper (milder; suggests behavior is unsuitable or against accepted rules)
|
unacceptable (emphasizes that behavior should not be allowed)
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corrupt (stronger; often suggests abuse of power or serious dishonesty)
Antonyms
ethical (acceptable under moral or professional standards)
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professional (appropriate for a job or profession)
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compliant (following rules, laws, or standards)
Collocations
unethical conduct
|unethical business practices
|unethical research
|unethical experiment
|unethical medical practice
|unethical sales tactics
|unethical billing practices
|unethical conflict of interest
|unethical sourcing
|unethical professional behavior
Themes
professional_life
|business
|law
|medicine
|research
|ethics
Examples
- The study was not approved because the proposed experiment was considered unethical.
- Lawyers said it would be unethical to represent both sides in the dispute.
- The committee found the accountant guilty of unethical professional conduct.
Learner examples
- A doctor sharing private patient information is unethical.
- The manager reported the unethical sales tactics.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unethical
IPA
GB/ʌnˈɛθɪkəl/
US/ʌnˈɛθɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
un - eth - ic - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (eth)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unethical
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.