Synonyms

ethically

American

[eth-i-klee] / ˈɛθ ɪ kli /

adverb

in a way that relates to morals, the principles of morality, or right and wrong conduct.

It is ethically unjustifiable to provide a lower standard of care to patients with lower income.
in a way that accords with moral principles or the rules or norms for right conduct, often specific to a profession.

Teachers have an obligation to act ethically, promoting positive values and maintaining professional standards of behavior.

Other Word Forms

hyperethically adverb
nonethically adverb
pseudoethically adverb
superethically adverb

Etymology

Origin of ethically

ethical ( def. ) + -ly

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.

The two million files that have yet to be made public are ones Nicky said she wants to see released "properly, honestly, ethically".

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“Make no mistake, we are not afraid of any legal fight. But we will do this ethically, responsibly, and vigorously. This is just the beginning.”

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026

Zainab Iftikhar, a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at Brown who led the study, set out to examine whether carefully worded prompts could guide AI systems to behave more ethically in mental health settings.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

Jackson, a high-profile attorney who has previously represented Hollywood clients including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, told reporters he was "legally and ethically" barred from explaining why he had stepped back.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Or is there a third category that, ethically speaking, is not so clear-cut?

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023