Legal Ethics Vocabulary

noun a person who helps another commit a crime or wrongdoing

• The police were able to arrest the main suspect and his accomplice in the robbery case.
• He couldn't have pulled off the prank without his accomplice by his side.
• The duo were caught red-handed by the cops, with one of them turning on their accomplice for a lighter sentence.
• Fear can be an accomplice to self-doubt, holding you back from pursuing your dreams.

noun moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity

• The company's code of ethics outlines the expected behavior of all employees.
• She always tries to do the right thing, she has really good ethics.
• I can't believe he cheated on the test, that's just not cool from an ethics standpoint.
• In the world of business, ethics can be a gray area that many companies struggle to navigate.

noun a word that functions as the name of something

• The guiding principle of the company is to always prioritize customer satisfaction.
• Our guiding principle here is to work hard and have fun while doing it.
• The guiding principle of this group project is to divide and conquer.
• Compassion is the guiding principle that leads us through difficult times.

noun the improper or harmful use of something

verb to treat something or someone in a harmful or improper way

• It is unacceptable to ill-use your authority for personal gain.
• Don't ill-use your power just because you can.
• Stop ill-using your privileges, it's not cool.
• She felt like her trust had been ill-used by her so-called friend.

noun a negligent, careless, or unethical behavior by a professional, especially a doctor or lawyer, resulting in harm to a patient or client

• The doctor was accused of medical malpractice after a surgical error resulted in the patient's injury.
• The lawyer warned his client about the consequences of legal malpractice.
• Some people believe that cutting corners in construction is just a form of malpractice.
• His constant lying could be considered a form of social malpractice.

noun the lesson or principle taught by a fable, story, or event

adjective concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior

• The moral of the story is to always be honest and kind.
• I think the moral of the movie was to never give up on your dreams.
• Dude, the moral of the party last night was to just have a good time.
• The moral compass of society seems to be shifting in recent years.

noun the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community

adjective relating to the customs and conventions of a community

• The community's mores dictate proper behavior and values.
• It's important to respect the mores of the group when you're a guest.
• I don't care about society's mores, I do what I want.
• The mores of the industry are constantly changing, so it's important to stay updated.

adjective describing someone or something that is not morally right or just

• The judge declared the defendant's actions to be unrighteous and deserving of punishment.
• I can't believe he would do something so unrighteous like that.
• That was a totally unrighteous move, dude.
• The unrighteous storm wreaked havoc on the small town.

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.

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.

noun a large drill used for making holes in the ground or in wood

verb to support the weight of something without breaking

• The law bore the responsibility of upholding justice in society.
• The law bore the consequences of the flawed legal system.
• The law bore the brunt of the criticism for its outdated regulations.
• The law bore the weight of ensuring equality and fairness for all citizens.

noun a person who encourages or supports others, especially in wrongdoing

verb to encourage or support someone, especially in wrongdoing

• It is important for society to strive towards being abetter place for future generations.
• I'm working on being abetter version of myself every day.
• She's always trying to be abetter than everyone else.
• The sun shining through the clouds made the day feel abetter.