unethical

adjective

un·​eth·​i·​cal ˌən-ˈe-thi-kəl 

: not conforming to a high moral standard : morally wrong : not ethical

illegal and unethical business practices

immoral and unethical behavior

unethically

ˌən-ˈe-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of unethical

• immoral
• unlawful
• evil
• sinful
• vicious
• bad
• vile
• dark

Examples of unethical in a Sentence

unethical treatment of prisoners of war that was a clear violation of international law

an unethical attorney, he had no qualms about getting off clients who he knew were guilty

Recent Examples on the Web

Documentarian Erin Lee Carr’s latest project is a deep dive into The Swan, the 2004 reality show widely considered one of the most unethical and sadistic in TV history. — Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Other former officials have spoken publicly about the unethical things they were instructed to do. — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Independent investigators found that the agents knew the work was out of scope and unethical. — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026

The first was his childhood in Ethiopia with a fascist father, finding his own ethic inside an unethical situation. — Jd Linville, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unethical

• ethical