1
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable unethical treatment of prisoners of war that was a clear violation of international law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unethical The next unethical president on the left will happily use whatever government bludgeon this administration fashions to pummel the right. Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025 Mindful of the government conspiracy, the trio seeks out more answers in an attempt to put an end to these unethical experiments. Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 But cynicism is exactly what unethical politicians count on. Matt Germer, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025 What’s particularly galling is that many who reap Wall Street trading largesse are quick to point the finger at others over unethical behavior. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unethical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unethical
Adjective
  • Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This is disgraceful and immoral.
    Armando Garcia, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Their methods—ruthless melodic math, brazenly artificial production, and an odd soft spot for reggae rhythms—helped define the world-conquering sound of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
  • To play someone whose world is so beautiful on the surface but whose secrets are ruthless has been an exhilarating challenge.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The tort of battery, meaning unlawful and harmful physical contact, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, which refers to using extreme conduct to terrorize another, are potential claims.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Hoping to keep the Solar for All program on track, the group has asked a jury to declare the program's termination unlawful and issue an injunction requiring the EPA to reinstate the program.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In one of many tonally jarring subplots, Vince works out a scam to burn down his dead mother’s house in Brooklyn to collect the insurance money with the help of a corrupt fire marshal.
    Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The writer became inspired to counteract his complicity in a corrupt system.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Tim Curry's marvelous Frank was a monster of self-regard, and Tim knew exactly how to give this evil genius his head and Mick served it up on a photographic plate.
    Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Major biotech companies that churn out made-to-order DNA for scientists have protections in place to keep dangerous biological material out of the hands of would-be evil-doers.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • No one knows the cake’s origin, but people like to offer theories on its name: Some say the word devil is a nod to the sinful dark chocolate, reminiscent of devil’s food cake.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
  • In an important variation, medieval soldiers returning from war regularly spent an extended period of penance in monasteries – a recognition of Catholicism’s teaching that any war is inherently sinful.
    Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The worry with a dog like Chey is the fact they could be locked in a vicious cycle.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The show follows Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam), an unassuming and odd man, working his family’s farm under the watchful eye of his hateful and vicious mother, Augusta (Laurie Metcalf).
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The game didn’t start bad for the Giants.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Apparently, Grier forgot his own words, because the lines that the Dolphins have built are collectively their worst this decade, something evident in a crushing 27-24 loss to Carolina, a game in which Miami blew a 17-0 lead.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unethical. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unethical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!