amoral
adjective
amor·al
(ˌ)ā-ˈmȯr-əl 
(ˌ)a-,
-ˈmär-
1
a
: having or showing no concern about whether behavior is morally right or wrong
amoral politicians
an amoral, selfish person
b
: being neither moral nor immoral
specifically
: lying outside the sphere to which moral judgments apply
Science as such is completely amoral. —
W. S. Thompson
W. S. Thompson 2
: being outside or beyond the moral order or a particular code of morals
amoral customs
Examples of amoral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dispensing with complexity and real-world consequences, the disinformation machinery of the Hindu right has been operating in an amoral zone, treating the Israel-Hamas war as little more than an entertaining spectacle happening somewhere far away, and as a windfall for its Islamophobic agenda.
—Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2023
In the way the film is framed — like a lesson to wannabe executioners from a master of his craft/control freak — Fincher almost seems to be encouraging identification with his coolly perfectionist yet amoral antihero.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
There are glimpses of the romp Dear David might have been anytime Justin Long, who plays BuzzFeed’s gleefully amoral editor in chief, comes onscreen.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Little wonder, then, that Hollywood’s hottest stars have long been lining up to play the most amoral characters in cinema.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2023
Otherwise, a perverse amoral epic like Oppenheimer might be dangerous.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 July 2023
Matthew Broderick plays the real Richard Sackler, who helped spearhead the blockbuster success of OxyContin, as something of an awkward, bumbling presence—not so much immoral as amoral, unwilling to let conscience interfere with profit.
—Paul Schrodt, Men's Health, 10 Aug. 2023
The question sounds crude or even amoral, but when Nigerian carrier couples split up, their implicit answer is no.
—Krithika Varagur, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
Instead of starting with an agenda and stirring in jokes, Estrada lets his commentary come out organically, through plots that reflect the daily absurdities of urban life and humor whose target is often the rich and amoral.
—Time, 28 July 2023
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Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2023
In the way the film is framed — like a lesson to wannabe executioners from a master of his craft/control freak — Fincher almost seems to be encouraging identification with his coolly perfectionist yet amoral antihero.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
There are glimpses of the romp Dear David might have been anytime Justin Long, who plays BuzzFeed’s gleefully amoral editor in chief, comes onscreen.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Little wonder, then, that Hollywood’s hottest stars have long been lining up to play the most amoral characters in cinema.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2023
Otherwise, a perverse amoral epic like Oppenheimer might be dangerous.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 July 2023
Matthew Broderick plays the real Richard Sackler, who helped spearhead the blockbuster success of OxyContin, as something of an awkward, bumbling presence—not so much immoral as amoral, unwilling to let conscience interfere with profit.
—Paul Schrodt, Men's Health, 10 Aug. 2023
The question sounds crude or even amoral, but when Nigerian carrier couples split up, their implicit answer is no.
—Krithika Varagur, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
Instead of starting with an agenda and stirring in jokes, Estrada lets his commentary come out organically, through plots that reflect the daily absurdities of urban life and humor whose target is often the rich and amoral.
—Time, 28 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amoral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Dictionary Entries Near amoral
Cite this Entry
“Amoral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amoral. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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