immoral
/i'mɔrəl/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not adhering to ethical or moral principles: Describes actions, behaviors, or motives that are considered wrong, evil, or contrary to accepted standards of right and wrong.
- Deliberately violating accepted principles: Suggests a conscious choice to act in a way that is base, degrading, or dishonorable.
Usage
- The word "immoral" is a strong adjective used to judge behavior as fundamentally wrong. It is often used in discussions of ethics, philosophy, law, and personal conduct.
- It typically describes actions (e.g., ), people (e.g., ), or systems (e.g., ).
Examples
- Describing actions or practices:
- Cheating on the exam was an immoral thing to do.
- The company was accused of immoral business practices.
- Describing people or motives:
- He was portrayed as a cunning and immoral villain.
- They acted from immoral and selfish motives.
- Describing concepts or systems:
- Many philosophers have argued that slavery is inherently immoral.
- The new policy was criticized as immoral and unjust.
Advanced Usage
- "Morally immoral": A redundant but sometimes used phrase for emphasis on the ethical violation.
- The dictator's actions were not just illegal; they were morally immoral.
- Used in formal debates and ethical arguments to condemn an action on principle, not just legality.
- The lawyer argued that the law itself was immoral and should be changed.
Variants and Related Words
- Immoralist (noun): A person who rejects or does not follow conventional morals.
- The novelist was considered an immoralist by the conservative society of his time.
- Immoralism (noun): The belief that morality should not influence actions; a system of thought that rejects traditional morals.
- His philosophy bordered on nihilism and immoralism.
- Immorally (adverb): In an immoral manner.
- He acted immorally to secure his promotion.
Synonyms
- Unethical: Not morally correct; often used in professional contexts.
- Dishonorable: Lacking integrity or principles; bringing shame.
- Unprincipled: Not acting in accordance with moral principles.
- Depraved: Morally corrupt; wicked.
- Corrupt: Willing to act dishonestly for personal gain.
Antonyms
- Moral: Conforming to standards of right behavior.
- Ethical: In accordance with principles of conduct for a profession or group.
- Virtuous: Having high moral standards.
- Honorable: Deserving respect and admiration; principled.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- Sink into immorality: To gradually adopt a lifestyle or pattern of immoral behavior.
- After losing his job, he began to sink into immorality and crime.
- A den of immorality: A place known for immoral activities.
- The police raided the club, calling it a den of immorality.
Adjective
-
not adhering to ethical or moral principles
-
base and unpatriotic motives
-
a base, degrading way of life
-
cheating is dishonorable
-
they considered colonialism immoral
-
unethical practices in handling public funds
-
-
deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ trái nghĩa
Từ tương tự
Từ gần giống
Từ chứa "immoral"
Từ có nhắc đến "immoral"