ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈe-thi-kəl 

variants or less commonly ethic

ˈe-thik 

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

ˌe-thə-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

ethically

ˈe-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

ethicalness

ˈe-thi-kəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• all right
• decent
• good
• honest
• honorable
• just
• moral
• nice
• right
• right-minded
• righteous
• straight
• true
• upright
• virtuous

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

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 on the Web

Is one a more ethical relation to art than the other? —Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2024

The practice of using AI for writing feedback or grading assignments also raises ethical considerations. —Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

The inquiry has shaken an administration that has become increasingly mired in investigations and beset by legal and ethical problems. —Dana Rubinstein, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024

Above all, Zero Dark Thirty is a riveting recreation of one of the most intense intelligence operations of all time, while its lack of cut-and-dry ethical stances speaks to the darkest side of the espionage game — and human nature. —Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024

There have been Congressional hearings on the matter, and states like Tennessee have begun introducing and passing legislation hoping to protect creators and intellectual property owners from deception and fraud, broadening laws and addressing ethical use. —Dan Rys, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024

Again Targets Judge s Daughter In New York Criminal Case Unfortunately, the movement’s leaders, like SBF, have demonstrated a propensity for ethical lapses, embodying the worst stereotypes of utilitarianism’s critics. —James Broughel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Seventy-eight years of blindness by the world community to the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza and Israel ignoring its moral and ethical responsibility toward the Palestinian population created the current Palestinian holocaust. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024

Among many other EAs, Hassenfeld and Karnofsky hired Helen Toner, a former OpenAI board member and the one who most resoundingly clashed with the CEO, Sam Altman, over ethical issues. —Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024

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

Phrases Containing ethical

• pre-ethical

Kids Definition

ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈeth-i-kəl 

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

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

ethical

1 of 2 adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈeth-i-kəl 

variants also ethic

-ik 

1

: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

2

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

ethically

ˈeth-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

ethical

2 of 2 noun

: an ethical drug

Legal Definition

ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈe-thi-kəl 

1

: of or relating to ethics

2

: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

ethically adverb