Business Ethics Terms

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being, in this case, 'alleged' can also function as a verb meaning to assert without proof

adjective a word that describes or gives more information about a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'alleged' describes something that is claimed to have taken place but not yet proven

• The alleged perpetrator is being held in custody pending further investigation.
• I heard about the alleged cheating scandal at school.
• Did you see the alleged thief running away from the scene?
• The alleged betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound.

noun behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards

• The company strictly enforces conformity to the dress code.
• Everyone just goes along with the conformity rules at this office.
• I'm not really into all that conformity stuff, you know?
• He felt suffocated by the conformity of society and longed for individuality.

noun a lack of trust or belief in someone or something, especially when this is caused by a difference between what is said and what is done

• The politician's credibility gap widened as more inconsistencies in his statements were uncovered.
• I can't trust what he says anymore, there's a huge credibility gap.
• That guy's credibility gap is off the charts, I wouldn't believe a word he says.
• The company's credibility gap with consumers is like a deep chasm that will be hard to bridge.

verb to deceive or cheat someone for personal gain

• The businessman was found guilty of attempting to defraud investors with false financial statements.
• I can't believe he tried to defraud his own friends out of money like that.
• She was caught trying to pull a fast one and defraud the company.
• His actions seemed to defraud the very essence of trust and honesty in the organization.

adjective having a bad reputation; not respectable

• The company decided not to do business with the disreputable supplier.
• I heard that place is pretty disreputable, we should avoid going there.
• That guy is so sketchy, he's definitely disreputable.
• Her reputation took a hit when she associated with that disreputable crowd.

noun the quality of being free from bias, injustice, or dishonesty; impartial and just treatment

• The principle of fairness dictates that everyone should be treated equally under the law.
• It's not fair that she always gets to choose where we go for lunch.
• That's not cool, man. Where's the fairness in that?
• In the game of life, fairness is like a rare gem that is hard to come by.

adverb in a conspicuously or obviously offensive manner

• The company flagrantly violated environmental regulations by dumping waste into the river.
• She flagrantly ignored the speed limit and got a ticket.
• He was flagrantly flexing on social media with his new car.
• The artist flagrantly broke the rules of traditional painting to create a unique masterpiece.

noun a phrase used to describe two things or people that are closely connected or working together

adverb in a close and cooperative manner

• The two organizations are working hand-in-hand to address the issue of climate change.
• John and Sarah walked hand-in-hand along the beach, enjoying the sunset.
• The best friends always stick together, they are like two peas in a pod, always going hand-in-hand.
• Success and hard work go hand-in-hand in achieving your goals.

adjective characterized by speed; quick or rushed

adverb in a hasty manner

• The hasty decision led to unforeseen consequences.
• I made a hasty choice and now I regret it.
• Don't be so hasty, think it through before deciding.
• His hasty words cut deeper than he intended.

noun the quality of being dishonest or lacking moral principles; lack of integrity

• The committee investigated the allegations of financial improbity within the organization.
• I heard there was some shady business going on, like improbity or something.
• That guy is always up to no good, total improbity.
• The dark clouds of improbity loomed over the company's reputation.

noun A noun is not applicable for 'in cahoots' as it is a phrase rather than a single word.

adverb In this case, 'in cahoots' functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective.

• The two companies were found to be in cahoots with each other, engaging in anti-competitive practices.
• I think those two are in cahoots, they always seem to be up to something together.
• I heard those two are in cahoots, planning something shady behind everyone's back.
• The cat and the mouse were in cahoots, working together to outsmart the dog.

noun a fine or penalty imposed as punishment for wrongdoing

verb to defraud or swindle

• The judge decided to mulct the defendant for damages caused by their negligence.
• The officer mulcted me for speeding on the highway.
• The scammer tried to mulct money from unsuspecting victims.
• The con artist's smooth talk was designed to mulct trust from his targets.

adjective describes someone who has not made a commitment or decision

• The noncommitted members of the committee were hesitant to take a stance on the issue.
• She's pretty noncommitted when it comes to making plans for the weekend.
• I don't know why he's so noncommitted about joining the team.
• His noncommitted attitude towards his goals is holding him back from success.

noun a planned or prearranged job

• The police suspected that the burglary was a put up job to frame an innocent person.
• I heard that the whole thing was a put up job to make someone look bad.
• I can't believe they pulled off that put up job without getting caught.
• Her perfect Instagram photos are a put up job, she's not as happy as she looks.

noun the quality of being honest and morally correct

adjective having or showing strong moral principles

• The politician was known for his unwavering rectitude in all his decisions.
• She always acts with such rectitude, never wavering from what she believes is right.
• Yo, that dude's got mad rectitude, always sticking to his morals no matter what.
• Her rectitude was like a guiding light, leading others to follow the path of honesty and integrity.

noun a betrayal of one's principles or values for money or personal gain

verb to betray one's principles or values for money or personal gain

• The artist faced criticism for being labeled a sellout after signing a commercial deal with a big corporation.
• I can't believe he sold out and joined the rival team for more money.
• She's such a sellout, always doing whatever it takes to get ahead.
• Choosing profit over values is a sure way to be seen as a sellout in the eyes of many.

adjective having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair

• The unscrupulous businessman took advantage of vulnerable customers.
• I heard about an unscrupulous guy who scams people online.
• Don't trust that unscrupulous dude, he's shady.
• The unscrupulous behavior of the politician left a stain on his reputation.

adjective relating to or characterized by the preoccupation with the buying of consumer goods

• The rise of consumerist culture has led to an increase in materialistic values.
• She's always shopping, such a consumerist!
• Stop being so consumerist, it's not all about buying stuff.
• His consumerist tendencies are like a bottomless pit, never satisfied with what he has.

noun swamp - a wetland area characterized by stagnant water and often dense vegetation

verb drain - to remove liquid from an area by causing it to flow out or evaporate

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article the - used to specify a particular thing already mentioned or known

• The government promised to drain the swamp of corruption and inefficiency.
• They said they were going to drain the swamp and get rid of all the bad stuff.
• Let's roll up our sleeves and drain the swamp once and for all.
• It's time to drain the swamp and clean up this mess once and for all.

adjective showing complicity; being an accomplice or involved in wrongdoing

• The complicitous behavior of the employees contributed to the company's legal troubles.
• She was complicitous in the scheme to cheat on the exam.
• They were totally complicitous in the prank that got pulled on the teacher.
• The dark clouds looming overhead seemed complicitous in the impending storm.

noun the illegal or unethical practice of using one's influence in government or connections with powerful individuals to obtain favors or preferential treatment

• The businessman was charged with influence peddling in an attempt to secure government contracts.
• The politician was caught influence peddling to get special favors for his friends.
• I heard that company was involved in some shady influence peddling to get ahead in the market.
• The artist's use of bold colors and abstract shapes was a form of influence peddling in the art world.