2
: involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval3
: conforming to accepted standards of conduct4
of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription
Choose the Right Synonym for ethical
moral, ethical, virtuous, righteous, noble mean conforming to a standard of what is right and good.
moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.
the basic moral values of a community
ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.
committed to the highest ethical principles
virtuous implies moral excellence in character.
not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless
righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.
wished to be righteous before God and the world
noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.
had the noblest of reasons for seeking office
Examples of ethical in a SentenceSome doctors feel that this procedure is not medically ethical. the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force
Recent Examples on the Web 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. His relationship evolved from setting firm boundaries to setting ethical guardrails, offering context, and supporting his autonomy with curiosity and love. —Rebekah Bastian, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Despite all of that, as the legislature enters the final weeks of its spring session, strengthening the state’s ethical safeguards doesn’t appear to be anywhere near the top of the agenda in Springfield. —Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025 Putting Horses First In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and ethical treatment, FreeRacehorse.com is setting a new standard by ensuring that horses receive the same level of care as elite human athletes. —William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025 Organizations like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals maintain a database of the tests ethical breeders do on their dogs, and buyers should be able to find the puppy's parents, siblings, and ancestors on the database. —Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ethical Word HistoryEtymology
Middle English etik, from Latin ethicus, from Greek ēthikos, from ēthos character — more at sib
First Known Use
circa 1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of ethical was circa 1573 Cite this Entry“Ethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethical. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 1 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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