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Unethically: meaning, definitions and examples

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unethically

 

[ʌnˈɛθɪkli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

behavior

in a way that is not morally right or proper; dishonestly

Synonyms

dishonestly, immorally, unfairly, unjustly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unethically

Use in situations where actions go against professional or societal moral standards, often in a business or professional setting.

  • She acted unethically by manipulating the test results to favor her company.
dishonestly

Appropriate when referring to actions that involve lying, cheating, or deceit. Generally implies personal or small-scale misconduct.

  • He obtained the job by dishonestly inflating his qualifications.
immorally

Used to describe actions that go against personal morality or broader social standards, often with a strong negative connotation.

  • Committing a crime for personal gain is considered acting immorally.
unfairly

Best used when describing situations where someone is treated without justice or equality, often related to rules or distribution of resources.

  • She felt she was treated unfairly when she was passed over for the promotion.
unjustly

Similar to 'unfairly' but with a stronger focus on violation of laws or rights, often used in more formal or legal contexts.

  • The prisoner argued that he had been unjustly detained without proper evidence.

Examples of usage

  • He unethically used insider information to gain an advantage in the stock market.
  • The company unethically exploited its workers for cheap labor.
  • She unethically copied someone else's work and claimed it as her own.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from 'ethic', which is about what is right or wrong in behavior.
  • The prefix 'un-' means 'not', so 'unethical' literally means 'not ethical'.
  • The word began to be commonly used in English around the late 19th century.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like Aristotle talked about ethics as virtues that guide good behavior, meaning actions can be judged as ethical or unethical.
  • Utilitarianism, a philosophical approach, argues that the best actions are those that maximize happiness, implying some actions could be unethical based on their consequences.
  • The concept of 'moral relativism' suggests that what is considered unethical might vary between cultures and societies.

Pop Culture

  • Movies frequently depict characters making unethical choices, often leading to their downfall, illustrating the consequences of such actions.
  • Television shows like 'Breaking Bad' explore the theme of unethical behavior and its impacts on relationships and morality.
  • Many video games challenge players with decisions that reflect ethical dilemmas, asking them to weigh options as 'ethical' or 'unethical'.

Business

  • Unethical practices in business can include things like lying to customers or exploiting workers, leading to legal actions or loss of reputation.
  • Corporate scandals often arise from unethical decision-making, such as embezzlement or environmental violations.
  • Ethics training in the workplace aims to help employees recognize and avoid unethical behavior.

Psychology

  • Studies show that individuals may engage in unethical behavior when they believe it is justified, often due to pressure or temptation.
  • Cognitive dissonance occurs when actions conflict with personal ethics, leading individuals to rationalize their unethical behaviors.
  • Teaching children about ethics early can help them make better choices in situations where they might be tempted to act unethically.

Translations

Translations of the word "unethically" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não eticamente

🇮🇳 अनैतिक रूप से

🇩🇪 unethisch

🇮🇩 tidak etis

🇺🇦 неетично

🇵🇱 nieetycznie

🇯🇵 非倫理的に

🇫🇷 de manière non éthique

🇪🇸 de manera no ética

🇹🇷 etik olmayan şekilde

🇰🇷 비윤리적으로

🇸🇦 بشكل غير أخلاقي

🇨🇿 neeticky

🇸🇰 neeticky

🇨🇳 不道德地

🇸🇮 neetično

🇮🇸 ósiðferðilega

🇰🇿 этикалық емес түрде

🇬🇪 არაეთიკურად

🇦🇿 etik qaydalara zidd olaraq

🇲🇽 de manera no ética

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,249, 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.