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View synonyms for immoral

immoral

[ ih-mawr-uhl, ih-mor- ]

adjective

  1. violating moral principles; not conforming to the patterns of conduct usually accepted or established as consistent with principles of personal and social ethics.
  2. licentious or lascivious.


immoral

/ ɪˈmɒrəl /

adjective

  1. transgressing accepted moral rules; corrupt
  2. sexually dissolute; profligate or promiscuous
  3. unscrupulous or unethical

    immoral trading

  4. tending to corrupt or resulting from corruption

    immoral earnings

    an immoral film



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Derived Forms

  • imˈmorally, adverb

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Other Words From

  • im·moral·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of immoral1

First recorded in 1650–60; im- 2 + moral

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Compare Meanings

How does immoral compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Synonym Study

Immoral, abandoned, depraved describe one who makes no attempt to curb self-indulgence. Immoral, referring to conduct, applies to one who acts contrary to or does not obey or conform to standards of morality; it may also mean licentious and perhaps dissipated. Abandoned, referring to condition, applies to one hopelessly, and usually passively, sunk in wickedness and unrestrained appetites. Depraved, referring to character, applies to one who voluntarily seeks evil and viciousness. Immoral, amoral, nonmoral, and unmoral are sometimes confused with one another. Immoral means not moral and connotes evil or licentious behavior. Amoral, nonmoral, and unmoral, virtually synonymous although the first is by far the most common form, mean utterly lacking in morals (either good or bad), neither moral nor immoral. However, since, in some contexts, there is a stigma implicit in a complete lack of morals, being amoral, nonmoral, or unmoral is sometimes considered just as reprehensible as being immoral.

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Example Sentences

Marris is frank on where she stands on certain issues, arguing, for example, that zoos are immoral.

Massey was charged on June 14 with one count of communication with a minor for immoral purposes in King County Superior Court.

Two new studies show that people consider activities that they think are immoral or unreasonable as riskier — even when they’re not.

Traditionally, the villain in any story — Disney or otherwise — represents a behavior, character trait, or facet of identity that society has deemed to be taboo or immoral.

From Vox

“It’s immoral, unjustifiable and completely un-Australian because, you know, Australia prides itself saying that we are multicultural, we embrace all cultures, we welcome everyone,” she says.

From Time

The film examines labor in the U.S. agriculture sector and the “immoral practices” that affect thousands of farmworkers.

These are all fruitful options to pursue for any atheist interested in challenging the immoral stereotypes we have.

The researchers collected over 13,000 responses, almost 4,000 of which described a moral or immoral event.

Another act, however, may be considered immoral not because it is harmful but because it evinces disloyalty.

The researchers deliberately refrained from defining “moral” and “immoral” for study participants.

It is unwise and immoral to accept any important statement without proof.

Nations, whose constitutions are immoral and unscriptural, are commanded to perform the duty.

Facility for obtaining loans at fair rates will not make immoral men moral.

The law is immoral: it is the conspiracy of rulers and priests against the workers, to continue their subjection.

Figures are not available concerning immoral acts which do not become the subject of a criminal charge.

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