UNETHICAL Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

unethical

adjective

ˌən-ˈe-thi-kəl

Definition of unethical

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ruthless

not guided by or showing a concern for what is right an unethical attorney, he had no qualms about getting off clients who he knew were guilty

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 It's regarded as wildly unethical and cruel, so the rationale for Netflix turning it into a TV show, where 30 people enter a real prison for two weeks, is hard to justify. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 This creates a perverse financial incentive for unethical operators to provide substandard care – or even interfere with recovery. — Ilan Shrira, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for unethical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unethical

Adjective

Convince people that an innocent person represents an existential threat, furnish them with a frightening conspiracy theory about an immoral enemy, and some may become willing to kill.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
In those cases, your cause is so just that you are warranted to be immoral in protecting it.

— Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of immoral

Adjective

Today, it is widely known that coal miners of the 19th and early 20th centuries experienced ruthless exploitation and hazardous working conditions.

— Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Involuntary bumping is more ruthless, denying boarding to passengers in a joyless game of musical plane seats.

— Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruthless

Adjective

Runa’s incarceration – and death months after her release – is now the subject of a lawsuit brought by her mother against Hyogo Prefectural Police alleging unlawful arrest and detention.

— Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Last month, the seizure was ruled unlawful by the California Supreme Court.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of unlawful

Adjective

Meanwhile, Democrats are strongly opposed to the kind of corrupt authoritarian government that Republicans seem unwilling to even speak out against.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The policy aims to make cadres more disciplined, effective and less corrupt.

— KANIS LEUNG, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Adjective

According to the first novel, James and Lily Potter were killed by the most evil dark wizard, Voldemort.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
For this week, however, Morris is an evil stepsibling, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator trying to slow down Robinson and the Falcons’ offense.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of evil

Adjective

Judaism teaches that human beings are not inherently sinful, destructive or a detriment to the world.

— Meir Moscowitz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
My prescribed low-carb, caffeine-free diet sounded horrifying on paper, but my sinful pleasures were replaced with a tasty, high-quality, and healthy alternative that left me more energized.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

Definition of sinful

Adjective

The vicious cycle of the current model, of course, is that to become marketable a team needs to get and retain good players, and to do that a school has to spend money, which cycles the whole thing back to the start.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Governments were expected to rescue struggling banks, which held large amounts of sovereign debt, creating a vicious cycle.

— Jenni Reid,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of vicious

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unessential

unethical

unethically

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“Unethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unethical. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unethical

adjective

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