unethically

/ʌnˈeθɪkli/ (bre, ipa) · [ənˈɛθɪkli] /ʌnˈeθɪkli/ (ame, ipa)

unethically — adverb

1. while breaking accepted moral or professional standards of right conduct

1.副詞C2
釋義

while breaking accepted moral or professional standards of right conduct

例句

The clinic acted unethically by testing the drug on patients without consent.

act unethically by + -ing

To win the contract, the firm competed unethically and spread false rumors.

compete unethically

同義詞
  • immorally

    Broader and often more personal; unethically is especially common for conduct judged by professional or public standards.

  • dishonestly

    Narrower; focuses on lying or deception rather than every kind of ethical breach.

  • corruptly

    Stronger and more specific; usually implies abusing power for personal gain.

反義詞
  • ethically

    Direct opposite; in a way that follows accepted moral or professional standards.

  • honorably

    Stresses fairness and integrity in conduct, often with a more personal tone.

文法句型

act unethically

behave unethically

compete unethically

profit unethically from [something]

unethically by + -ing

用法筆記

Often appears in discussions of business, medicine, journalism, and research. It usually criticizes conduct that breaks accepted standards, and it can describe behavior that is legal but still morally wrong.

常見錯誤

❌The nurse acted unethical when she shared the patient's file.
✅The nurse acted unethically when she shared the patient's file.
💡After a verb, use the adverb unethically, not the adjective unethical.
❌The company acted unethically, so the police had to arrest its owner.
✅The company acted unethically, but police action would depend on whether it also broke the law.
💡Unethically judges moral or professional wrongdoing, while illegal means against the law.