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
(ˌ)ā-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce amoral (audio)
(ˌ)a-
-ˈmär-
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.
Not Trump, of all presidents, an amoral self-indulgent grifter by trade and liar by practice. Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026 Slayyyter shimmies onto the beat like an amoral John Waters heroine, cruising over the choppy momentum while recounting a toxic love affair in gasping Fred Schneider intonation. Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026 But where a female-friendship show like Tuca & Bertie falls into the trap of presenting relatability at the expense of creativity, YOLO introduces a dynamic that is depraved, boozy, druggy, shaggy, and totally amoral. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026 In the 1950s, Frankenstein took residence in the British studio Hammer Films, and the films made Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) an amoral protagonist. Rory Doherty, Time, 7 Mar. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amoral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amoral. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

amoral

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

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