Ethical Vocabulary

noun official recognition or commendation

• The committee's approbation of the proposal was a significant milestone for the research team.
• I was thrilled to receive my boss's approbation for completing the project ahead of schedule.
• Getting the approbation from my friends for my new outfit was the confidence boost I needed.
• The artist sought not just fame, but the approbation of his peers for his innovative work.

noun the quality of being suitable, proper, or fitting for a particular situation or purpose

• The appropriateness of the candidate's qualifications will be carefully considered by the selection committee.
• We should discuss the appropriateness of wearing jeans to the wedding.
• I questioned the appropriateness of his choice in music at the party.
• The appropriateness of her response was like a perfectly fitting puzzle piece in the conversation.

noun a swindle or cheat

verb to swindle or deceive

• The committee was accused of trying to chouse the public out of their rightful benefits.
• I can't believe he tried to chouse his way out of paying for dinner.
• She's always trying to chouse her way into getting free stuff.
• The tricky salesman managed to chouse his customers into buying unnecessary upgrades.

adjective deserving, appropriate, fitting

• The criminal received a condign punishment for his actions.
• He got what was coming to him, a condign consequence.
• He totally got what he deserved, a condign slap on the wrist.
• The universe has a way of delivering condign justice in the end.

verb to accept and allow behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive to continue

• The company's code of conduct clearly states that any form of discrimination will not be condoned.
• I can't believe they condoned his behavior at the party last night.
• I heard she condoned skipping class to go to the concert.
• His silence on the matter could be seen as condoning the actions of his colleagues.

adjective Crooked is an adjective that describes something that is not straight or aligned properly, often implying deceit or dishonesty.

• The contractor was accused of using crooked methods to win the bid.
• I don't trust that crooked salesman, he seems shady.
• That guy is so crooked, I wouldn't buy a used car from him.
• Her smile was crooked, revealing her true feelings about the situation.

verb to strip someone of their position or authority, especially in a religious context

• The bishop decided to defrock the priest after allegations of misconduct surfaced.
• They're going to defrock that pastor for breaking the rules.
• The church is going to strip him of his collar and defrock him.
• The scandal was so damaging that it defrocked his reputation within the community.

noun perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual direction and understanding

• Her discernment in choosing the right candidate for the job was highly praised by the selection committee.
• I trust your discernment when it comes to picking out the best restaurants in town.
• His discernment in fashion is always on point.
• The artist's discernment in color choices brought the painting to life.

noun a feeling or expression of disapproval or opposition

verb to show disapproval or opposition towards something

• The professor's decision to discountenance any form of cheating set a high standard for academic integrity.
• I discountenance any form of gossip in our office.
• I totally discountenance that kind of behavior.
• The judge's stern look seemed to discountenance any further outbursts in the courtroom.

adjective causing or deserving shame or disgrace; shameful; dishonorable

• The behavior exhibited by the public official was disgraceful and unbecoming of their position.
• It's absolutely disgraceful how they treated their employees at the company.
• That party last night was disgraceful - people were acting a fool.
• The state of the park after the festival was disgraceful, like a warzone.

adjective showing a sense of duty; obedient and respectful

• The duteous servant always carried out his tasks with precision and dedication.
• She is known as the most duteous employee in the office, always going above and beyond.
• I'm looking for a duteous roommate who will clean up after themselves and pay rent on time.
• The duteous bees worked tirelessly to build their hive and collect nectar for the queen.

verb to elevate in rank, dignity, or excellence

• It is believed that education has the power to ennoble society.
• Helping others can ennoble your spirit.
• Volunteering can really ennoble your soul, dude.
• The artist sought to ennoble everyday objects through her unique perspective.

noun a grave crime or sin

• The enormity of the crime shocked the entire community.
• I can't believe the enormity of the mess you made in the kitchen.
• The enormity of the party last night was off the charts.
• The enormity of her love for him knew no bounds.

noun an event in which the outcome is uncertain and each side has a fair chance of winning

adjective legitimate or acceptable to be treated in a certain way

• In a competitive market, all businesses are considered fair game for scrutiny by regulatory authorities.
• When it comes to playing basketball, anyone is fair game for a one-on-one match.
• If you want to tease him about his crush, he's fair game for some friendly teasing.
• Once she entered the political arena, she knew that her personal life would be fair game for the media to dissect.

adjective describing someone or something that is worthy of faith or trust

• The company's faithworthy reputation has been built on years of reliable service.
• I trust him with my personal information because he's always been faithworthy.
• She's the most faithworthy friend I have, always coming through when I need her.
• The old oak tree stood as a symbol of something strong and faithworthy in the midst of chaos.

adjective deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

• The general's decision to retreat was seen as a gnominious act by his superiors.
• Losing the spelling bee in front of everyone was pretty gnominious.
• Getting caught cheating on the test was so gnominious.
• His reputation took a gnominious hit after the scandal was exposed.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun, in this case 'God fearing' describes a person who has a deep reverence or respect for God.

• She is known in the community as a God-fearing woman who attends church regularly.
• My grandmother is a God-fearing person who always says grace before meals.
• I try to surround myself with God-fearing friends who keep me grounded.
• Being God-fearing doesn't mean living in fear, but rather having a deep respect for higher powers.

noun the quality or state of being ignoble; lack of honor or dignity

• The ignobility of his actions brought shame upon his family.
• I can't believe the ignobility of that guy's behavior.
• That dude's ignobility is off the charts.
• The ignobility of the situation cast a dark shadow over the entire event.

adjective capable of being attributed or ascribed to a particular cause or source

• The error in the financial report was imputable to the accounting department.
• The blame for the mistake falls on the accounting team.
• It's the accounting guys' fault for messing up the numbers.
• The responsibility for the mishap can be traced back to the hands of the accountants.

noun none

verb none

adjective too great to calculate or measure

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• The inestimable value of the rare artifact was carefully calculated by experts.
• Her contribution to the project was inestimable, we couldn't have done it without her.
• The support I received from my friends was inestimable, they really came through for me.
• The inestimable beauty of the sunset took my breath away.

noun an act or instance of cruelty or brutality

• The inhumanity of war was evident in the destruction of entire cities.
• The inhumanity of the situation left us all feeling helpless.
• The inhumanity of the boss made everyone dread coming to work.
• The inhumanity of the storm left a path of devastation in its wake.

adjective describes a person or thing that does not act in a responsible manner

• It is considered irresponsible to make decisions without considering the consequences.
• Leaving your car unlocked in this neighborhood is just plain irresponsible.
• Skipping class is so irresponsible, dude.
• Neglecting to take care of your health is like being irresponsible with a precious gift.

noun the action of showing something to be right or reasonable

adjective having a reasonable basis

• The justification for the new policy was outlined in the official report.
• She couldn't provide a good justification for missing the meeting.
• I don't buy his justification for being late again.
• His actions served as a justification for her decision to leave.

adjective having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone

adverb in a way that shows a desire to harm someone or something

• The suspect was accused of maliciously spreading false information about the company.
• She maliciously spread rumors about her ex-boyfriend to get back at him.
• He was caught red-handed maliciously vandalizing the school property.
• The virus maliciously attacked the computer system, causing it to crash.

adverb In a mean or unkind manner

• He was accused of acting meanly towards his colleagues by withholding important information.
• She always speaks meanly about others behind their backs.
• I can't believe you would treat me so meanly like that.
• The storm clouds gathered meanly in the sky, foretelling a heavy downpour.

verb to lecture or preach about what is right or wrong, often in a self-righteous manner

• The author tends to moralize in his novels, often using the characters to convey his ethical beliefs.
• Stop moralizing about my decisions, I know what's best for me.
• Quit moralizing, it's getting annoying.
• The preacher's sermon was filled with moralizing about the importance of kindness.

noun a stingy or miserly person

• The treasurer was accused of being a niggard with the organization's funds.
• Don't be a niggard when it comes to sharing your snacks with your friends.
• Some people may think it's cool to act like a niggard, but it's really not.
• Being a niggard with your time can lead to missed opportunities in life.

adverb in a noble or honorable manner

• She conducted herself nobly during the ceremony, showing grace and dignity.
• He handled the situation nobly, without losing his cool.
• She totally crushed that presentation, nobly owning the room.
• The sun set nobly over the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant colors.

noun the act of planning or thinking about something before doing it

• The prosecutor argued that the crime was committed with premeditation and should be treated as first-degree murder.
• He didn't just act on impulse, there was definitely premeditation involved in his decision.
• She totally planned it out, there was some serious premeditation going on.
• His actions showed a level of premeditation that indicated he had been thinking about it for a while.

verb used as a present participle of the verb 'respect', meaning to show regard or consideration for someone or something'

• Respecting the rules and regulations is essential in maintaining order within the organization.
• We should all make sure we're respecting each other's boundaries.
• Dude, you gotta start respecting your elders, man.
• Respecting nature is crucial for our survival on this planet.

noun the quality or state of being correct or true

adjective having the quality of being correct or true

• The concept of rightness in ethics is a complex and debated topic among philosophers.
• I always try to do what feels right in my heart, you know?
• I can't believe you did that, it's just not right.
• The rightness of her decision shone through in the positive outcomes that followed.

verb past tense of sanctify, which means to make holy or sacred

adjective to be made holy or purified

• The church sanctified the new altar during a special ceremony.
• My grandma always says her homemade bread is sanctified with love.
• I feel like this playlist sanctifies my workout routine.
• The artist sanctified the empty canvas with his creative vision.

verb to make something dirty or stained, especially in a way that damages its reputation

• The reputation of the company was smirched by the scandal.
• His name was smirched after the rumors started spreading.
• She didn't want her social media profile to get smirched by posting controversial content.
• The beauty of the landscape was smirched by the construction of the new highway.

noun the part of a person's mind that acts as a self-critical conscience, reflecting social standards learned from parents and teachers

• The superego is a component of the mind that acts as a moral compass.
• Your superego is always telling you to do the right thing.
• My superego is like my inner voice that keeps me in check.
• Think of your superego as the angel on your shoulder guiding you towards good decisions.

noun the action of spreading gossip or rumors

adjective involving or engaged in spreading gossip or rumors

• Talebearing is considered a serious offense in the workplace and can result in disciplinary action.
• I heard some talebearing going on in the break room about who got the promotion.
• Don't be a talebearer and spread rumors about others.
• The talebearing of gossip can spread like wildfire and cause harm to relationships.

noun a belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially belief in one god as creator of the universe, intervening in it and sustaining a personal relation to his creatures

• The study of theism is an important aspect of religious philosophy.
• Some people believe in theism, while others are atheists.
• I don't really buy into all that theism stuff, I prefer to keep an open mind.
• In theism, God is often seen as the ultimate creator and ruler of the universe.

verb to go beyond the limits of what is morally or legally acceptable

• It is important to understand the consequences of transgressing the company's code of conduct.
• I heard she got in trouble for transgressing the school rules.
• Dude, don't transgress like that, you'll get caught.
• His actions seemed to transgress the boundaries of common decency.

noun the quality or state of being true; something that is true or in accordance with fact or reality

• The truth of the matter is that we must adhere to the facts presented.
• Honestly, the truth is that I can't make it to the party tonight.
• Let me hit you with the truth - he's not as cool as he thinks he is.
• Sometimes the truth can be a bitter pill to swallow, but it's necessary for growth.

adjective showing lack of dignity or respect

• His behavior at the formal event was deemed undignified by the guests.
• She felt undignified wearing sweatpants to the fancy restaurant.
• I can't believe he did that, it was so undignified!
• The way she begged for forgiveness was undignified and desperate.

adjective Unsavory is an adjective that describes something unpleasant or morally offensive.

• The investigation uncovered some unsavory business practices within the company.
• I heard some unsavory rumors about him from a friend.
• I don't want to hang out with that unsavory character.
• The movie painted an unsavory picture of the future.

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 not contaminated or spoiled; pure or clean

• The evidence presented in court proved that the witness's testimony was untainted by bias.
• I prefer to buy untainted produce from the local farmers market.
• I only trust her untainted opinion on the matter.
• Her untainted soul shone brightly in a world full of darkness.

adjective an adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. 'Upstanding' describes someone who is honest, honorable, and morally upright.

• He is known in the community as an upstanding citizen with a strong moral compass.
• My neighbor is such an upstanding guy, always willing to lend a helping hand.
• That dude is straight upstanding, you can always count on him to have your back.
• The towering skyscraper stood upstanding against the city skyline, a symbol of strength and resilience.

noun A particular type of moral excellence or righteousness

• The virtue of honesty is highly valued in the business world.
• Having the virtue of patience will help you in dealing with difficult situations.
• Dude, that guy has the virtue of being chill all the time.
• Courage is the virtue that allows us to face our fears and overcome obstacles.

adjective having or showing high moral standards

• She was known for her virtuous behavior and impeccable moral standards.
• He always tries to do the right thing and be a virtuous person.
• People who are always doing good deeds are just so virtuous.
• The virtuous path may be difficult, but it is always worth it in the end.

noun an unjust, dishonest, or immoral action

adjective not correct or true; incorrect

adverb in a way that is incorrect or mistaken

• It is important to acknowledge when something is done wrong in order to learn from mistakes.
• You got the answer wrong on the quiz, but don't worry, there will be more chances to improve.
• She totally did him wrong by spreading rumors about him.
• Sometimes it feels like the universe is playing a cruel joke on us, like everything is just going wrong.

noun a benevolent or guardian spirit

adjective related to or characteristic of a eudaemon

• The philosopher believed that living a virtuous life would lead to eudaemonia, or true happiness.
• She always seems to be in a state of eudaemon, no matter what life throws at her.
• I'm feeling pretty eudaemonic today, nothing can bring me down!
• The garden was a place of eudaemon, where one could find peace and contentment amidst chaos.

noun a particular system of beliefs, values, principles, and practices relating to the nature of reality, knowledge, and existence

• The study of ethics and values is a key aspect of philosophy.
• I love discussing philosophy with my friends over coffee.
• Philosophy is all about deep thinking and pondering life's big questions.
• In business, having a clear philosophy can guide decision-making and strategy.

verb to renounce or relinquish a throne, power, responsibility, or right

• The king shocked the nation by abdicating the throne.
• She's abdicating her responsibilities as team captain.
• I can't believe he's abdicating his duties like that.
• Abdicating control of your own life will only lead to regret.

noun a person who abides by something, such as a rule or law

• As a law-abiding citizen, he is known as a strict abider of rules and regulations.
• She's a real abider, always following the rules no matter what.
• Yo, that dude is a straight-up abider, never breaking the law.
• In the realm of ethics, she is an abider of moral principles and values.

adverb used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or of very poor quality

• The way he treated his employees was abominably cruel.
• She sang abominably at the karaoke bar last night.
• That movie was abominably bad, I want my money back.
• The politician's actions were abominably selfish, putting his own interests above the needs of the people.

verb to regard with intense aversion or loathing; abhor

• The community abominated the new policy proposed by the government.
• I absolutely abominated the movie we watched last night.
• I totally abominated that new song everyone is listening to.
• She abominated the idea of having to work late on a Friday night.

verb to declare someone free from guilt, responsibility, or punishment

• The defendant was absolved of all charges after the new evidence came to light.
• Don't worry, you'll be absolved of any wrongdoing once you explain the situation.
• I totally got absolved of that mess thanks to my lawyer.
• By apologizing sincerely, he absolved himself of any guilt in her eyes.

adverb in a way that shows self-restraint or abstention from indulgence

• She lived abstemiously, avoiding all indulgences and luxuries.
• He's been eating abstemiously lately, trying to lose weight.
• I'm trying to be abstemious with my spending this month.
• The artist abstemiously chose only black and white colors for his painting.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

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

• The new policy accords with the company's commitment to sustainability.
• The plan totally accords with what we talked about last week.
• His outfit totally accords with the latest fashion trends.
• Her actions accords with the saying 'actions speak louder than words'.

noun a concept in Hindu philosophy referring to actions that are considered immoral, unethical, or contrary to the natural order

• The concept of adharma is often discussed in philosophical and religious texts.
• It is believed that acting against dharma leads to adharma.
• People who engage in adharma are often seen as troublemakers.
• In a society where adharma prevails, chaos and disorder are inevitable.

adverb modifying a verb, adjective, or other adverb to describe how the action is performed

• The man was caught engaging in an adulterously relationship with his coworker.
• She was gossiping about her friend who was acting adulterously with someone else's spouse.
• I heard they were hooking up adulterously behind their partner's back.
• The company was accused of adulterously mixing their profits with illegal activities.