Definition of ETHICAL (original) (raw)

: involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval

: conforming to accepted standards of conduct

of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription

Synonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for ethical

moral, ethical, virtuous, righteous, noble mean conforming to a standard of what is right and good.

moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Examples of ethical in a Sentence

Some doctors feel that this procedure is not medically ethical. the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Sustainability and ethical shopping: Gen-Z and Millennial shoppers are becoming more conscious of sustainability and ethical purchasing practices. —Hai Mag, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 With this small-batch drop, MCM continues its dedication to environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024 But, Marcus can’t seem to move past the ethical qualm, especially after police recently misidentified a suspect using the software, killing an innocent Black man in the process. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2024 Your Mileage May Vary is an advice column offering you a new framework for thinking through your ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions. —Sigal Samuel, Vox, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ethical