Unprincipled: meaning, definitions and examples

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unprincipled

 

[ หŒสŒnหˆprษชnsษ™pษ™ld ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Lacking moral principles; not adhering to ethical standards or values.

Synonyms

dishonest, immoral, unethical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unprincipled

Use this word when someone lacks moral standards or is willing to behave badly to achieve their goals. It's slightly less severe than 'immoral' or 'unethical'.

  • His unprincipled tactics during the campaign shocked many people.
  • The company's unprincipled practices eventually led to its downfall.
immoral

This word is best used for actions or behavior that are considered seriously wrong or wicked, addressing deeper issues of morality.

  • The immoral behavior of the dictator led to widespread suffering.
  • Cheating on your partner is considered immoral by many people.
unethical

Choose this word when referring to actions that go against professional standards or societal norms, often used in business or professional settings.

  • It is unethical for doctors to accept bribes from pharmaceutical companies.
  • The lawyer was disbarred for his unethical conduct in court.
dishonest

This is useful when referring to someone who lies or cheats. It implies a lack of honesty and can be used in everyday situations.

  • She was dishonest about her qualifications on her resume.
  • I don't trust him; he's been dishonest before.

Examples of usage

  • He was known for his unprincipled behavior, always putting his own interests above others.
  • The unprincipled politician would do anything to win the election, even lie and cheat.
Context #2 | Adjective

action

Not based on a set of principles or beliefs; arbitrary.

Synonyms

arbitrary, capricious, whimsical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unprincipled

Used to describe a person or behavior that lacks moral scruples, integrity, or honesty. This word often carries a negative connotation and suggests engaging in unethical or dishonest actions.

  • The unprincipled businessman cheated his clients to make more money.
  • Her unprincipled actions have led to a loss of trust among her colleagues.
arbitrary

Refers to actions or decisions made without any logical reasoning, fairness, or consistency. Often used to criticize rules, laws, or decisions that seem random or not based on a clear principle.

  • The manager's arbitrary decision to change the work schedule angered the employees.
  • The court ruled that the law was enforced in an arbitrary manner.
capricious

Describes behavior or decisions that change suddenly and unpredictably, often without a clear reason. This word emphasizes the impulsive and whimsical nature of the actions.

  • Her capricious mood swings made it difficult for her friends to rely on her.
  • The capricious weather in this region means you always need to be prepared for sudden storms.
whimsical

Indicates playfulness or unpredictability, often in a charming or amusing way. This word usually has a lighter, more positive connotation compared to 'capricious'.

  • The whimsical garden was filled with quirky decorations and colorful flowers.
  • Her whimsical sense of humor made her a favorite among her friends.

Examples of usage

  • Her decisions seemed unprincipled and random, without any clear rationale.
  • The company's unprincipled approach to pricing led to confusion among customers.

Translations

Translations of the word "unprincipled" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sem princรญpios

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเฅ€เคคเคฟ เคนเฅ€เคจ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช prinzipienlos

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tanpa prinsip

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฑะตะทะฟั€ะธะฝั†ะธะฟะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ bez zasad

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅŽŸๅ‰‡ใฎใชใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท sans principes

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ sin principios

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ilkesiz

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์›์น™ ์—†๋Š”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนุฏูŠู… ุงู„ู…ุจุงุฏุฆ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bez zรกsad

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ bez zรกsad

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ— ๅŽŸๅˆ™็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ brez naฤel

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รกn prinsippa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฟั€ะธะฝั†ะธะฟัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒžแƒ แƒ˜แƒœแƒชแƒ˜แƒžแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ prinsipsiz

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ sin principios

Etymology

The word 'unprincipled' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'principled,' which comes from the Latin 'principium' meaning 'beginning' or 'foundation.' Over time, 'unprincipled' has come to signify a lack of adherence to moral principles or ethical standards, reflecting a negative connotation associated with behavior or actions that are considered dishonest or arbitrary.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,641, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.