Word
immoral
Meanings
Not following accepted moral rules; ethically wrong.
Showing a lack of moral principles; willing to do wrong things for personal advantage.
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Definition
Immoral describes behavior that goes against accepted standards of right and wrong.
If something is immoral, it is considered wrong because it violates widely accepted moral principles. The word often describes actions such as cheating, exploiting others, or causing harm for personal gain. It can also describe a person or system that regularly ignores ethical standards. What counts as immoral may vary across cultures, but it usually implies strong social disapproval.
Examples
- I couldn’t justify the immoral tactics they suggested, even if they promised quick results.
- You’ll look back and regret it if you stay silent while an immoral decision is being pushed through.
- He was criticized for immoral behavior after he manipulated colleagues to take credit for their work.
- She refused to participate in what she saw as an immoral campaign that targeted vulnerable people.
- They argued that the policy was immoral because it punished those who had no real alternatives.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "immoral" (ethically wrong) with "amoral" (lacking moral concern) and use the wrong word.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.