unethical

[uhn-eth-i-kuhl] / ʌnˈɛθ ɪ kəl /

ADJECTIVE

dishonest, immoral

Synonyms

STRONGEST

corrupt illegal improper underhanded unfair unprofessional unscrupulous wrong

WEAK

cheating crooked dirty dirty-dealing dishonorable disreputable double-crossing fake fishy flimflam fly-by-night mercenary shady sharp slick slippery sneaky two-faced two-timing underhand unprincipled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

appropriate correct decent ethical good honest moral principled right suitable uncorrupt

WEAK

upright

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Police officers working to shut down an illegal rave at a beauty spot used "unethical" force, one partygoer has told the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

It would be just as unethical for a therapist to use treatment to pressure someone into being LGBTQ+ as it is to use treatment to coerce someone out of being such an identity.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

We thought flopping and foul-baiting made for unethical hoops, but those are but basketball misdemeanors; Adebayo’s big night was felonious.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

However, the idea of drilling holes in patients for a placebo is widely considered unethical, including by regulators in Europe, according to Schwartz.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

She felt as if she were doing something improper, unethical: expecting to get food in exchange for nothing.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

unethical

Example Sentences

Related Words