ethical

[ eth-i-kuhl ]

/ ˈɛθ ɪ kəl /

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See synonyms for: ethical / ethicality / ethically / ethicalness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.

being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession: It was not considered ethical for physicians to advertise.

(of drugs) sold only upon medical prescription.

OTHER WORDS FOR ethical

2 moral, upright, honest, righteous, virtuous, honorable.

See synonyms for ethical on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR ethical

2 immoral.

See antonyms for ethical on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ethical

First recorded in 1600–10; ethic + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM ethical

eth·i·cal·ly, adverbeth·i·cal·i·ty

[eth-i-kal-i-tee], /ɛθ ɪˈkæl ɪ ti/, eth·i·cal·ness, nounhy·per·eth·i·cal, adjectivenon·eth·i·cal, adjective

pseu·do·eth·i·cal, adjectivesu·per·eth·i·cal, adjectiveun·eth·i·cal, adjective

Words nearby ethical

etheric, etherify, etherize, Ethernet, ethic, ethical, Ethical Culture, ethical hacker, ethical investment, ethicality, ethically

How to use ethical in a sentence

They were given info about three main ethical issues in this area — fairness, privacy and their sense of self.
People are concerned about tech tinkering with our minds|Laura Sanders|February 11, 2021|Science News For Students
Instead, each company or research group may need to work through ethical issues as their use of brain data progresses.
New technology can get inside your head. Are you ready?|Laura Sanders|February 11, 2021|Science News For Students
She and colleagues have recently proposed five questions that researchers can ask themselves to begin thinking about these ethical issues, including privacy and autonomy.
Can privacy coexist with technology that reads and changes brain activity?|Laura Sanders|February 11, 2021|Science News
We need a serious conversation on the equitable and ethical use of tech, what can be done to combat the spread of misinformation and more.
The rise of the activist developer|Walter Thompson|February 9, 2021|TechCrunch

The series — both projects of the ProPublica Local Reporting Network — have been recognized for applying high ethical standards, as well as innovative approaches, to working with sources.
Two ProPublica Local Reporting Network Projects Named Finalists for Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics|by ProPublica|February 8, 2021|ProPublica
Marriott, with its deep history in the Mormon faith, portrays itself as a deeply ethical institution.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The founders of Ethical Oil, and opechatesgays, are Hamish Marshall and his wife, Kathryn Marshall.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline|Jay Michaelson|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As uncovered by the climate blog desmogblog, the Ethical Oil meme dates to a 2010 book by Ezra Levant.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline|Jay Michaelson|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Does he have the balls to run again after someone resigns over ethical issues?
The Felon Who Wouldn’t Leave Congress|Ben Jacobs, David Freedlander|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These patients, often thought of as brain dead, present a distinct ethical dilemma.
What It’s Like to Wake Up Dead|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Martyrdoms do not occur for ethical generalizations, much less for philosophical affirmations.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
With this brief review of the philosophy of the ethical sentiments, we may proceed to a consideration of the facts.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
The development of the ethical principle in mankind is largely due to the extension of the sentiment of social sympathy.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
The human mind arrives at ethical truths, even when all speculation about God and immortality has failed.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
The subsequent schools of philosophy directed attention to ethical and practical questions, rather than to intellectual phenomena.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord

British Dictionary definitions for ethical

ethical

/ (ˈɛθɪkəl) /

adjective

in accordance with principles of conduct that are considered correct, esp those of a given profession or group

of or relating to ethics

(of a medicinal agent) available legally only with a doctor's prescription or consent

Derived forms of ethical

ethically, adverbethicalness or ethicality, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ethical

OTHER WORDS FOR ethical

OPPOSITES FOR ethical

Origin of ethical

OTHER WORDS FROM ethical

Words nearby ethical

Words related to ethical

How to use ethical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ethical

Derived forms of ethical