ETHICAL Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'ethical' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ethical are moral , noble , righteous , and virtuous . While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity. // committed to the highest ethical principles

Q: When is 'moral' a more appropriate choice than 'ethical'?

The meanings of moral and ethical largely overlap; however, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong. // the basic moral values of a community

Q: When would 'noble' be a good substitute for 'ethical'?

Although the words noble and ethical have much in common, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character. // had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Q: When is it sensible to use 'righteous' instead of 'ethical'?

The words righteous and ethical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious. // wished to be righteous before God and the world

Q: When might 'virtuous' be a better fit than 'ethical'?

While the synonyms virtuous and ethical are close in meaning, virtuous implies moral excellence in character. // not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

ethical

adjective

ˈe-thi-kəl

Definition of ethical next

as in honorable

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honest

following the accepted rules of moral conduct the ethical course of action for the senator who lied to Congress would be to resign

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in moral

guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong ethical writers do not use the words of other writers without giving them proper credit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ethical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ethical are moral, noble, righteous, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When is moral a more appropriate choice than ethical?

The meanings of moral and ethical largely overlap; however, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When would noble be a good substitute for ethical?

Although the words noble and ethical have much in common, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

When is it sensible to use righteous instead of ethical?

The words righteous and ethical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

When might virtuous be a better fit than ethical?

While the synonyms virtuous and ethical are close in meaning, virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ethical Specify how they should be handled, including storage, usage and ethical considerations. —

Patrick Van Esch, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025 Volcker’s career shows how a brilliant and deeply ethical public servant could set the stage for the unpopular Wall Street bailouts of our century. —

The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025 Low-skilled workers, by contrast, are not able to land jobs as readily through ethical, safe, and legal pathways. —

Amy Pope, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 There are many ethical and purely strategic questions to consider, including: What do colleges say are acceptable uses of AI for admissions essays, and which ones are frowned upon or banned? —

Brad Tuttle, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ethical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ethical

Adjective

Booker previously served in the United States Army but was removed from the military with a less than honorable discharge after going AWOL in 2017, Fox 2 Detroit reported, citing court documents.

— Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2025
Captain Dellinger of the US Army is an honorable man who only seeks the truth, and whose writing is filled with hope for a better future.

— Erik Kain, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025