ethical

adjective eth·i·cal \ ˈe-thi-kəl \

variants: or less commonly ethic play \ˈe-thik\

Definition of ethical

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

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ethicality

play \ˌe-thə-ˈka-lə-tē\ noun

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ethically

play \ˈe-thi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

—

ethicalness

play \ˈe-thi-kəl-nəs\ noun

See ethical defined for English-language learners

See ethical defined for kids

Examples of ethical in a Sentence

Some doctors feel that this procedure is not medically ethical.
the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force

Recent Examples of ethical from the Web

This quirky system, made popular by an online video game, determines people's ethical and moral perspectives.

— kelly o'sullivan, Country Living, "What Type of Person You Are, According to How You Store Your Bread," 15 Aug. 2017
At minimum, scientists conducting this research should confront its ethical dilemmas and offer sufficient justification for studies that may draw widespread opposition and fear.

— james kath, Scientific American Blog Network, "Brave New World? Not Even Close," 2 Aug. 2017
Pate said that whether there was a deal or not, an ethical prosecutor would not have accepted an appointment from someone that his office was investigating.

— leigh morgan, AL.com, "Code Orange air quality alert issued for Mobile metro area on Thursday," 26 July 2017
His job is not to serve the president politically or personally, for instance by violating ordinary ethical standards in order to keep his hand in a potentially embarrassing federal investigation.

— kevin d. williamson, National Review, "Hang on, Sessions," 26 July 2017
A woman who refuses to accept that the man leading our country can be defended with any ethical seriousness, a woman who is ready to resist the administration and its destructive goals every day until the job is done.

— jessica valenti, Marie Claire, "This Is the Only Kind of Woman It's Okay to Be in Trump's America," 25 July 2017
In early May, those ethical concerns were given new fuel when Kushner’s sister, Nicole Kushner Meyer, traveled to China to woo investors.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "9 Things You Should Know About the Kushner Family," 21 July 2017
Mr Shaub believes that Mr Trump has rejected ethical norms embraced by all other administrations since the 1970s.

— The Economist, "Not one to avoid a conflictHow Donald Trump is monetising his presidency," 20 July 2017
A family's ability to afford endless care usually poses a bigger obstacle than ethical disagreements.

— Bloomberg.com, "British Baby At End of Life Support Draws in Pope, Trump," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ethical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ethical

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

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First Known Use: circa 1573

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ethical Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Philosophy Terms

dialectic, dualism, epistemology, existentialism, metaphysics, ontology, sequitur, solipsism, transcendentalism

ETHICAL Defined for English Language Learners

ethical

adjective

Definition of ethical for English Language Learners

: involving questions of right and wrong behavior : relating to ethics
: following accepted rules of behavior : morally right and good

ETHICAL Defined for Kids

ethical

adjective eth·i·cal \ ˈe-thi-kəl \

Definition of ethical for Students

1 :involving questions of right and wrong :relating to ethics

ethical issues

2 :following accepted rules of behavior

We expect ethical treatment of animals.

Medical Dictionary

ethical

adjective eth·i·cal \ ˈeth-i-kəl \

variants: also ethic play \-ik\

medical Definition of ethical

1 :conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

2 of a drug :restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription

—

ethically

play \ˈeth-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

ethical

noun

medical Definition of ethical

:an ethical drug

Law Dictionary

ethical

adjective eth·i·cal \ ˈe-thi-kəl \

legal Definition of ethical

1 :of or relating to ethics

2 :conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

—

ethically

adverb

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Synonym Discussion of ethical

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ETHICAL Defined for English Language Learners

ethical

Definition of ethical for English Language Learners

ETHICAL Defined for Kids

ethical

Definition of ethical for Students

Medical Dictionary

ethical

medical Definition of ethical

ethically

ethical

medical Definition of ethical

Law Dictionary

ethical

legal Definition of ethical

ethically

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