Ethical - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms (2024)

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For someone who is honest and follows good moral standards, use the adjective ethical. An ethical teacher will grade your papers honestly — even if she catches you sticking your tongue out at her.

Ethical comes from the Greek ethos "moral character" and describes a person or behavior as right in the moral sense - truthful, fair, and honest. Sometimes the word is used for people who follow the moral standards of their profession. An ethical lawyer or doctor does not try to take advantage of the client or patient's unfortunate situation. If something has happened and you are not sure what the right thing to do is, you are having an ethical dilemma.

Definitions of ethical

  1. adjective

    conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior

    “an ethical lawyer”

    ethical medical practice”

    “an ethical problem”

    “"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants"- Omar N. Bradley”

    Synonyms:
    right

    in conformance with justice or law or morality

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    Antonyms:
    unethical

    not conforming to approved standards of social or professional behavior

    wrong

    contrary to conscience or morality or law

    show more antonyms...
  2. adjective

    adhering to ethical and moral principles

    “it seems ethical and right”

    synonyms:honorable, honourable
    right

    in conformance with justice or law or morality

  3. adjective

    of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics

    ethical codes”

    ethical theories”

Word Family

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Ethical - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms (2024)

FAQs

What does the word ethical meaning? ›

: of or relating to ethics. : following accepted rules of conduct. : following professional standards of conduct.

What is a synonym of the word ethical? ›

adj.moral, righteous.

What does ethical mean and examples? ›

Ethics, for example, refers to those standards that impose the reasonable obligations to refrain from rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud. Ethical standards also include those that enjoin virtues of honesty, compassion, and loyalty.

What is an example of an ethical person? ›

Do no harm.Do and say nothing that may bring harm to another person, shame them for any reason, and avoid bullying behavior. Contribute to the betterment of others.Do something every day to show kindness to others. It can be something as simple as saying “thank you” or complimenting someone.

What is ethical and why is it important? ›

Ethics is what guides us to tell the truth, keep our promises, or help someone in need. There is a framework of ethics underlying our lives on a daily basis, helping us make decisions that create positive impacts and steering us away from unjust outcomes.

What is a good sentence for ethical? ›

There is a belief that the employer has a moral and ethical obligation to the workforce. There are huge moral, legal and ethical issues. The desire to win medals superseded their collective moral and ethical compass and Olympic values of fair play.

What does it mean to be highly ethical? ›

Highly ethical people tend to see themselves as moral compasses and will frequently call out ethics violations and injustice wherever they see it. They're comfortable speaking up and are willing to suffer the consequences of standing up for righteousness.

How to be an ethical person? ›

The core principles of ethical behavior are:
  1. Make things better. We can improve our own lives and the lives of others by acting in ways that carefully consider the consequences of our actions on others. ...
  2. Follow the Golden Rule. ...
  3. Be civil at all times. ...
  4. Accept responsibility for your behavior. ...
  5. Reflect on your behavior.
Feb 4, 2020

Does ethical mean good? ›

If you describe something as ethical, you mean that it is morally right or morally acceptable.

Is ethical a positive word? ›

If something is ethical, it is good, not bad or wrong. Often, this is based on formal philosophy. Often, what is ethical is based on rules of a group or profession (kind of job).

What does ethical mean in the Bible? ›

Ethics in the Bible refers to the system(s) or theory(ies) produced by the study, interpretation, and evaluation of biblical morals (including the moral code, standards, principles, behaviors, conscience, values, rules of conduct, or beliefs concerned with good and evil and right and wrong), that are found in the ...

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