unprincipled

[uhn-prin-suh-puhld]

adjective

1. lacking or not based on moral scruples or principles.

   an unprincipled person; unprincipled behavior.

   Synonyms: dishonest, tricky

2. not instructed in the principles of something (usually followed byin ).

unprincipled

/ ʌnˈprɪnsɪpəld /

adjective

1. lacking moral principles; unscrupulous

2. archaic,  (foll by in) not versed in the principles of (a subject)

Other Word Forms

• unprincipledness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unprincipled¹

First recorded in 1625–35; un- ¹ + principled

Synonym Study

See unscrupulous.

Example Sentences

David Hozen, a law professor at Columbia, criticized the reforms, calling them “as unprincipled as they are unprecedented” and arguing that the deal was a “legal form to an extortion scheme.”

From Salon

I came to know him as an unprincipled man of greed, lust and carnal desires that continue to rule him and thus make him unfit for office.

From Salon

Davis, for his part, expects Biden to be reelected, given his record and the contrast he offers to the wayward, unprincipled ex-president.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course, it is only Trump who is in personal jeopardy because of his reckless and unprincipled behavior, not his millions of followers.

From Salon

“As the district court noted, Ronaldo mistakenly produced the course of ‘navigating this unorthodox predicament,’ kicked off by Mayorga’s counsel’s ‘unprincipled conduct’ long before, and instituted vigorous efforts to protect the documents afterwards.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• amoral 
• deceitful 
• dishonest 
• immoral 
• unconscionable 
• unethical 
• unprofessional 
• unscrupulous