ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈe-thi-kəl How to pronounce ethical (audio)
variants or less commonly ethic
1
: of or relating to ethics
ethical theories
2
: involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval
ethical judgments
3
: conforming to accepted standards of conduct
ethical behavior
4
of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription
ethicality noun
ethically adverb
ethicalness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for ethical

moral, ethical, virtuous, righteous, noble mean conforming to a standard of what is right and good.

moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Example Sentences

Some doctors feel that this procedure is not medically ethical. the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force
Recent Examples on the Web The ethical error is to suppose only one model is right. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 17 May 2023 Working alongside seasoned first responder Gene Rutkovsky (Penn), Cross discovers firsthand the chaos and awe of a job that careens from harrowing to heartfelt, and occasionally stretches into ethical ambiguity. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2023 The announcement comes after a Justice Department probe into ethical matters. Shelley Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023 During the coronavirus pandemic, a moratorium on trials led to a buildup of cases that pushed many public defenders beyond ethical standards. Will Langhorne, Arkansas Online, 14 May 2023 According to an article in the New York Times, the team working on the pangenome is working with some of these groups to set up ethical guidelines around how their genetic information can, and can’t, be used. Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 11 May 2023 Such a powerful tool also raises important ethical questions over genetic privacy and whose data is included and how. Evan Bush, NBC News, 10 May 2023 In February 1989, Bloom’s crime-busting instincts landed him in ethical hot water. John Wilkens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2023 Many Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have sought to play down reporting on Thomas’s ethical issues, characterizing it as an attack on a conservative-leaning court. John Wagner, Anchorage Daily News, 4 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ethical.' 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

Middle English etik, from Latin ethicus, from Greek ēthikos, from ēthos character — more at sib

First Known Use

circa 1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethical was circa 1573

Dictionary Entries Near ethical

Cite this Entry

“Ethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethical. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

ethical

adjective
eth·​i·​cal ˈeth-i-kəl How to pronounce ethical (audio)
1
: of or relating to ethics
2
a
: following accepted rules of conduct
b
: following professional standards of conduct
3
: sold only on a doctor's prescription
ethical drugs
ethically adverb

Medical Definition

ethical

1 of 2 adjective
eth·​i·​cal ˈeth-i-kəl How to pronounce ethical (audio)
variants also ethic
1
: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct
2
of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription
ethically adverb

ethical

2 of 2 noun
: an ethical drug

Legal Definition

ethical

adjective
eth·​i·​cal ˈe-thi-kəl How to pronounce ethical (audio)
1
: of or relating to ethics
2
: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct
ethically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ethical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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