non-ethical
/ˌnɒnˈeθ.ɪ.kəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːnˈeθ.ɪ.kəl/ (ame, ipa)
non-ethical — adjective
1. used for funds, companies, or investment choices that do not apply social or env
used for funds, companies, or investment choices that do not apply social or environmental responsibility standards when deciding where money should go.
The pension fund sold its non-ethical shares after pressure from teachers.
collocation: non-ethical shares / investments
Sari said the bank still offered non-ethical funds beside its green options.
Some clients avoid non-ethical companies even when the profits look higher.
The report warned that non-ethical investment could damage a charity's image.
Otis moved his savings out of a non-ethical oil fund.
- non-ESG
A modern finance label that stresses the absence of environmental, social, and governance screening.
- unscreened
Emphasizes that the investment has not been filtered by ethical rules; broader than non-ethical.
- conventional
Often used by the finance industry for funds that follow standard market strategy without ethical restrictions.
- ethical
The direct opposite in investment language; screened to match moral or responsibility goals.
- ESG-screened
Highlights formal screening for environmental, social, and governance standards.
- socially responsible
Stresses that the investment choice aims to support companies with responsible practices.
文法句型
non-ethical + fund / company / investment
be non-ethical
用法筆記
Usually appears in discussions of investing, pensions, and fund policy. Unlike the broader moral sense in sense 2, this use is tied to whether money is screened for social or environmental responsibility before it is invested.
常見錯誤
2. not morally acceptable, or not concerned with judging whether something is right
not morally acceptable, or not concerned with judging whether something is right or wrong.
The committee called the secret payment non-ethical and opened an inquiry.
call something non-ethical in a formal judgment
Lan felt the experiment was non-ethical because patients never gave consent.
be non-ethical because + clause
The article examined non-ethical questions, such as price and speed.
Amira refused to join a non-ethical marketing plan that tricked older buyers.
In class, Gabriel separated ethical questions from non-ethical ones about taste.
- unethical
The closest word for behavior that breaks moral rules, but it does not normally cover morally neutral topics.
- immoral
Stronger and more personal, often used for conduct that clearly violates accepted moral rules.
- amoral
Usually emphasizes the absence of moral concern rather than active wrongdoing.
- value-neutral
An academic term for descriptions made without moral approval or disapproval.
- ethical
Direct opposite when behavior or choices follow accepted moral standards.
- moral
Broader opposite for actions or beliefs that are judged right by shared standards.
- principled
More positive and personal; stresses steady commitment to moral rules.
文法句型
be non-ethical
non-ethical + behavior / plan / question
用法筆記
Often appears in formal argument or academic writing. Unlike unethical, non-ethical can describe both conduct that breaks moral standards and topics treated as outside moral judgment, so the noun around it usually shows which reading is meant.