unethical

comparative more unethical · superlative most unethical

1. Breaching the established standards of conduct or behavior within a particular organization or profession.First known use 20th c.

   He was sacked for unethical conduct.

   3 more examples

   The following potentially unethical coding practices are presented along with the standard from the AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding that they may violate.

   2006, Laurinda B. Harman, Ethical Challenges in the Management of Health Information, →ISBN, page 104

   However, occasionally one encounters unethical but not immoral practice, because in China, market regulations are neither sufficient nor regularly updated.

   2009, Nada Kakabadse, Andrew Kakabadse, Chen Yang, “The Chinese Boardroom: Roles, Dynamics and Relationships”, in Global Boards: One Desire, Many Realities, →ISBN, page 100

   For example, individuals accused of unethical conduct might challenge the decision rendered by an ethics review panel if they were displeased with the ethics review process or outcome.

   2017, Joseph Byrne, Administration Ethics: Executive Decisions in Canadian Healthcare, →ISBN, page 11

2. Immoral, morally wrong.First known use 19th c.

   The Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio, Texas is one of only a handful of sites around the world that conduct medical research on great apes. Scientists say their research is conducted humanely, but many animal rights groups say testing on chimps is unneeded and unethical.

   2011 June 2, “The Science And Ethics Of Research On Chimps”, in NPR.org, retrieved 12 Nov 2022

   Synonyms: aberrant, corrupt, corrupted, depraved, lost, dirty-handed, dissolute, effete