unethical
adjective
un·eth·i·cal
ˌən-ˈe-thi-kəl 
: not conforming to a high moral standard : morally wrong : not ethical
illegal and unethical business practices
immoral and unethical behavior
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
These cases of unethical behavior toward vulnerable aid recipients have had lasting harmful effects on the reputations not just of individual NGOs but of the whole sector.
—
Sarah Bush, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Most people likely think of the Medical Board of California as an enforcement body that protects the public from unsafe or unethical medical practice.
—Marcus Friedman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
Something can be considered ethical or unethical for many reasons, but people differ in which reasons matter most to their own moral compasses.
—Andrew Luttrell, Time, 24 June 2025
Such corporate espionage is the most extreme form of gathering unethical competitive intelligence.
—Chris Mele, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unethical
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Sarah Bush, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Most people likely think of the Medical Board of California as an enforcement body that protects the public from unsafe or unethical medical practice.
—Marcus Friedman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
Something can be considered ethical or unethical for many reasons, but people differ in which reasons matter most to their own moral compasses.
—Andrew Luttrell, Time, 24 June 2025
Such corporate espionage is the most extreme form of gathering unethical competitive intelligence.
—Chris Mele, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unethical
Cite this Entry
“Unethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unethical. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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