amoral

adjective

amor·​al (ˌ)ā-ˈmȯr-əl How to pronounce amoral (audio)
(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
2
: being outside or beyond the moral order or a particular code of morals
amoral customs
amoralism noun
amorality
ˌā-mə-ˈra-lə-tē How to pronounce amoral (audio)
ˌa-
-(ˌ)mȯ-
noun
amorally
ˌā-ˈmȯr-ə-lē How to pronounce amoral (audio)
(ˌ)a-
-ˈmär-
adverb

Examples of amoral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This mimicry of human traits, combined with an underlying amoral optimization logic, presents a significant concern. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025 As the mysterious contract killer Vincent, Cruise brings his usual on-screen qualities — strict professionalism, precise physicality, ruthless persistence — but turns them on their head to embody a terrifying, amoral murderer. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025 In 1994, around the time President Bill Clinton signed the largest crime bill in U.S. history, seven of 10 Americans were telling Gallup pollsters that crime was due to amoral criminals and the failure of the criminal justice system to stop them. Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025 Directed by Martin Ritt and starring Richard Burton, the film adaptation opens and closes on opposite sides of the Berlin Wall, and its grimmest suggestion is that both are controlled by amoral forces willing to sell out any principle and sacrifice as many pawns as necessary to secure power. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amoral

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of amoral was in 1882

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Cite this Entry

“Amoral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amoral. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

amoral

adjective
amor·​al ā-ˈmȯr-əl How to pronounce amoral (audio)
-ˈmär-
: not being moral nor immoral
amorally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on amoral

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