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

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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 Even if this future legislation is not as unequivocally pro-crypto as some lobbyists might have initially desired, the debate, highlighting of crypto pros and cons, and rooting out unethical activities will benefit the entire sector going forward. Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025 What if these materials quietly compromise their health, pollute the planet, and support unethical labor practices? Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 May 2025 In the 1970s, information about the Tuskegee study – a deceptive and unethical 40-year study of untreated syphilis in Black men – came to light. Christine Coughlin, The Conversation, 9 May 2025 It is considered unethical to deprive even a small group of patients of effective vaccines against deadly pathogens. Christina Jewett, New York Times, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unethical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unethical
Adjective
  • Researchers also noted the chatbot engaging in other potentially disturbing—though not necessarily immoral—behavior.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 24 May 2025
  • Suggesting that being out of work is immoral, as opposed to the conditions that contribute to people’s ability to work and live, might be a more appropriate source of anxiety.
    Lauren Coulman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • As with everything Banksy, siting and context are chief among the avenues of investigation into the man’s intent and into his his hilariously ruthless nocturnal execution of his art.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The ruthless, physical Panthers will get a strong Oilers squad, with Ekholm back on the back end, Skinner emphatically taking back his net from Calvin Pickard, and both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on top of their games.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • The court concluded that the administration’s unilateral actions without approval by Congress were unlawful.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful.
    Will Matsuda, New York Times, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, Evans’ plotline as the corrupt Reverend Drew essentially runs parallel to Qualley’s and the lack of intersection is a curious oversight.
    Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
  • In a later scene, Lamia narrowly escapes the claws of a similarly corrupt and ill-intentioned predator, using her wits and sharpened intuition.
    Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Rakshasa’s evil beast fits thematically with the park’s nearby 1976 Demon looping coaster.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
  • Evans gives an oversized comedic performance as the church’s charming but evil minister.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • The sinful acts on display here are a direct result of that disenfranchisement, an effort to reclaim what is still owed, forty acres and a mule, with interest.
    Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Pope Gregory, believing these demons to be an indication of Magdalene’s excessively sinful past, identified her as an unnamed woman in Luke who wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The original 2006 film, which was adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s book of the same name, starred Meryl Streep as the powerful Miranda Priestley, Anne Hathaway as fashion newbie Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as vicious assistant Emily and Stanley Tucci as Miranda’s right hand man Nigel.
    Rachel McRady, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Wolves are vicious and intelligent group hunters, but dogs and thunderstorms famously do not mix.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Glorifying motherhood, meanwhile, in practical terms, may only make mothers’ daily lives worse.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
  • Anything under par around here in these conditions isn't a bad score.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unethical. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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