immoral

/i'mɔrəl/

Thân thiện

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. 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
2. deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong

Từ đồng nghĩa

• base