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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unethical
That’s irresponsible or unethical.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
This position is both unethical and a breakdown of the rule of law.
—Mark Pirie, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
The solicitation of complaints by the board’s executive director, Michael Cavin, resulted in complaints of unethical conduct filed against Mejia and Smith by their employers.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 27 Feb. 2026
Tried as an adult, the teen was convicted five months later at a trial replete with errors and unethical behavior — but almost no real evidence.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unethical
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
This position is both unethical and a breakdown of the rule of law.
—Mark Pirie, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
The solicitation of complaints by the board’s executive director, Michael Cavin, resulted in complaints of unethical conduct filed against Mejia and Smith by their employers.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 27 Feb. 2026
Tried as an adult, the teen was convicted five months later at a trial replete with errors and unethical behavior — but almost no real evidence.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unethical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unethical
Adjective
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Lawyers for the church argue that Morris’ agreements with the church preclude him from those benefits if he was fired or resigned because of immoral behavior.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Michigan State Police said Robert Wilson, 44, of Gaylord, was arrested on March 25 and lodged at the Otsego County Jail on one charge each of accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Others think Davie’s ruthless headcount reductions led to a brain drain, which in turn precipitated editorial errors that ultimately led to his resignation.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
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Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The unlawful increases also affect the basic plan, which saw a 2-euro increase in October 2024.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
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The teacher, Charissa Newport, faces a charge of unlawful restraint of a child younger than 17, according to the Keller Police Department.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Today, Christians observe Good Friday — a day when corrupt religious and political forces crucified Jesus of Nazareth as a common criminal on a rubbish heap outside the city walls of Jerusalem.—
Peter Cook,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
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First there’s Phil Reizenstein, who, during a long career plumbing the depths of Magic City jurisprudence, has represented a former telenovela actor who killed a motorist in a road rage incident, as well as a DEA agent in an investigation into corrupt activities.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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There's very few probably as evil as Marsha Allen and Ashley Jones.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The earliest Greek philosophers focused their attention upon the origin and nature of the physical world; later philosophers have theorized about the nature of knowledge, truth, good and evil, love, friendship, and much more.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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His father, who believes Sammie's music to be sinful, orders him to drop the guitar, but Sammie can't do it.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
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The least sinful states in 2026 Wyoming was ranked the least sinful state in 2026, followed by New Hampshire, Idaho, Vermont, Maine, Minnesota, Utah, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Moreover, this isn’t your responsibility, particularly after a history of such vicious attacks.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Be cautious — but don’t write off rattlesnakes as vicious, the experts say.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Gas and diesel prices have soared since the start of the Iran war, but the situation could get even worse later this year because of ethanol requirements and problems with fertilizer supply chains.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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Flattening the curve—making bad floods somewhat less bad—feels achievable.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unethical. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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