Immorally: meaning, definitions and examples

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immorally

 

[ɪˈmɔːrəli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

behaving in a way that goes against accepted moral principles

In an immoral manner; in a way that goes against accepted moral principles.

Synonyms

dishonestly, unethically, wrongly.

Examples of usage

  • She acted immorally by stealing from her employer.
  • He was accused of behaving immorally towards his colleagues.
  • The company was found to have acted immorally by exploiting its workers.
Context #2 | Adverb

going against societal norms or standards of behavior

In a manner that goes against societal norms or standards of behavior.

Synonyms

unconventionally, unorthodoxly, unusually.

Examples of usage

  • The novel depicts a society where individuals act immorally without consequences.
  • His decision to lie to his friends was considered immorally by the group.
  • She was criticized for behaving immorally in public.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'immorally' comes from the Latin word 'immoralis,' where 'in-' means 'not' and 'moralis' means 'moral.'
  • It was first used in English in the 17th century to describe actions that went against accepted ethical standards.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers distinguish between consequentialism (which often justifies actions by their outcomes) and deontological ethics (which focuses on rules and duties), sparking debate about what constitutes immoral behavior.
  • Immanuel Kant argued that actions should align with moral duties, suggesting that acting immorally goes against rationality.

Literature

  • Many classic novels explore immorality, such as Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' which delves into the consequences of a life led by hedonism.
  • Shakespeare's plays often depict characters who behave immorally, leading to their eventual downfall, highlighting the theme of moral consequences.

Culture

  • In modern culture, the notion of immorality can be subjective and varies widely between different societies and communities.
  • Some cultures emphasize communal values while others prioritize individual rights, influencing perceptions of what is considered immoral.

Psychology

  • Research suggests that individuals may rationalize immoral actions through cognitive dissonance, balancing their actions with their self-image.
  • The 'banality of evil' concept describes how ordinary people can commit immoral acts under certain circumstances, like in the famous research of psychologist Hannah Arendt.

Translations

Translations of the word "immorally" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imoralmente

🇮🇳 अनैतिक रूप से

🇩🇪 unmoralisch

🇮🇩 secara tidak bermoral

🇺🇦 аморально

🇵🇱 niemoralnie

🇯🇵 不道徳に (ふどうとくに)

🇫🇷 immoralement

🇪🇸 inmoralmente

🇹🇷 ahlaksızca

🇰🇷 비도덕적으로 (bidodeokjeogeuro)

🇸🇦 بشكل غير أخلاقي

🇨🇿 nemorálně

🇸🇰 nemorálne

🇨🇳 不道德地 (bù dàodé de)

🇸🇮 nemoralno

🇮🇸 siðlaust

🇰🇿 иморальді

🇬🇪 ამორალურად

🇦🇿 əxlaqsızca

🇲🇽 inmoralmente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,266, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.