unethical

adjective

un·​eth·​i·​cal ˌən-ˈe-thi-kəl How to pronounce unethical (audio)
: not conforming to a high moral standard : morally wrong : not ethical
illegal and unethical business practices
immoral and unethical behavior
unethically adverb

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
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.
Cutting medical services to families who rely on them to give tax breaks to billionaires is unethical. Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025 The event was a spectacle: Luxury cars snaked their way into Trump’s northern Virginia golf club as protesters lined the streets, denouncing the event as an unethical way for a president to make money or allow others to potentially influence him through the purchase of his meme coin. Ben Goggin, NBC news, 23 May 2025 The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police will hold a vote of no confidence against Police Chief Johnny Jennings following reports of a settlement between Jennings and the city and allegations of unethical conduct at city hall. Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2025 Perhaps not a radically different phase — plenty of anxiety and doubt remains in the wake of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA’s fight with studios and streamers to win protections against unethical uses of artificial intelligence. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unethical

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unethical was in 1871

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Cite this Entry

“Unethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unethical. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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