ethical
adjective
eth·i·cal ˈe-thi-kəl 
variants or less commonly ethic
ˈe-thik
1
: of or relating to ethics
ethical theories
2
: involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval
ethical judgments
3
: conforming to accepted standards of conduct
ethical behavior
4
of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription
ethicality
ˌe-thə-ˈka-lə-tē
noun ethically
ˈe-thi-k(ə-)lē
adverb ethicalness
ˈe-thi-kəl-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- all right
- decent
- good
- honest
- honorable
- just
- moral
- nice
- right
- right-minded
- righteous
- straight
- true
- upright
- virtuous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Some 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 The introductory sessions kicked off with comments from Alison Taylor, a research scientist for the ethical systems collaboration at New York University, who talked about the problems an all-encompassing acronym like ESG creates. 
Kristine Gill, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2022 Regardless, Loab sparked some lengthy ethical conversations around visual aesthetics, art and technology. Nina Raemont, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2022 All the while, the brand uses ethical production that's managed by female suppliers. Lauren Caruso, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Sep. 2022 The Brazilian system focuses on companies’ compliance, rewarding them for reporting the use of genetic resources with an ethical biotrading certification. Olive Heffernan, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2022 For all the above reasons, anything that concerns visual culture cannot but be an ethical matter. Vogue, 12 Sep. 2022 In 1998, Zatko appeared before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee as part of a panel of ethical hackers who urgently told Congress that the technology used to access the internet was not secure. Clare Duffy, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 And Christianity is very unusual among ethical systems for expecting chastity of men. Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2022 The minerals required for those batteries also present an ethical problem, as many are mined in areas with dismal human-rights records. Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 See More
Kristine Gill, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2022 Regardless, Loab sparked some lengthy ethical conversations around visual aesthetics, art and technology. Nina Raemont, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2022 All the while, the brand uses ethical production that's managed by female suppliers. Lauren Caruso, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Sep. 2022 The Brazilian system focuses on companies’ compliance, rewarding them for reporting the use of genetic resources with an ethical biotrading certification. Olive Heffernan, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2022 For all the above reasons, anything that concerns visual culture cannot but be an ethical matter. Vogue, 12 Sep. 2022 In 1998, Zatko appeared before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee as part of a panel of ethical hackers who urgently told Congress that the technology used to access the internet was not secure. Clare Duffy, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 And Christianity is very unusual among ethical systems for expecting chastity of men. Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2022 The minerals required for those batteries also present an ethical problem, as many are mined in areas with dismal human-rights records. Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
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
Phrases Containing ethical
Kids Definition
ethical
adjective
eth·i·cal ˈe-thi-kəl
1
: involving questions of right and wrong : relating to ethics
ethical issues
2
: following accepted rules of behavior
We expect ethical treatment of animals.
Medical Definition
ethical 1 of 2
adjective
eth·i·cal ˈeth-i-kəl
variants also ethic
-ik
1
: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct
2
of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription
ethical
2 of 2noun
: an ethical drug
Legal Definition
ethical
adjective
eth·i·cal ˈe-thi-kəl
1
: of or relating to ethics
2
: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct
ethical
adjective
1
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- honorable
- moral
- honest
- true
- good
- nice
- decent
- virtuous
- noble
- righteous
- right
- upright
- worthy
- respected
- all right
- straight
- just
- proper
- right-minded
- correct
- legitimate
- principled
- exemplary
- decorous
- pure
- innocent
- seemly
- reputable
- commendable
- moralistic
- creditable
- scrupulous
- upstanding
- irreproachable
- high-minded
- incorruptible
- unobjectionable
- esteemed
- blameless
- clean
- guiltless
- sanctimonious
- angelic
- immaculate
- inoffensive
- unerring
- pharisaical
- law-abiding
- incorrupt
- spotless
- menschy
- uncorrupted
- angelical
- self-righteous
- rectitudinous
- incorrupted
- goody-goody
- lily-white
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unethical
- immoral
- evil
- wrong
- dishonest
- sinful
- bad
- dishonorable
- improper
- wicked
- indecent
- unrighteous
- unseemly
- unscrupulous
- naughty
- unbecoming
- depraved
- indecorous
- incorrect
- unprincipled
- corrupt
- degenerate
- libertine
- perverted
- dissolute
- debased
- debauched
- low
- villainous
- atrocious
- vicious
- vile
- infamous
- base
- objectionable
- evil-minded
- mean
- offensive
- nefarious
- reprobate
- blameworthy
- iniquitous
- erring
- errant
- fallen
2
as in honest
following the accepted rules of moral conduct the ethical course of action for the senator who lied to Congress would be to resign Synonyms & Similar Words
- honorable
- honest
- respectable
- noble
- principled
- decent
- righteous
- moral
- upstanding
- upright
- conscientious
- just
- good
- proper
- irreproachable
- nice
- unimpeachable
- respected
- virtuous
- unassailable
- blameless
- guiltless
- scrupulous
- chivalrous
- polite
- stand-up
- reputable
- classy
- incorruptible
- fair
- high-minded
- decorous
- right-minded
- menschy
- seemly
- uncorrupted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unethical
- criminal
- unjust
- dishonest
- low
- immoral
- unprincipled
- ignoble
- dishonorable
- unworthy
- evil
- base
- unrighteous
- sinful
- bad
- nefarious
- reprehensible
- unfair
- mean
- iniquitous
- unscrupulous
- crooked
- rotten
- roguish
- corrupt
- wicked
- vile
- villainous
- rascally
- wretched
- culpable
- knavish
- blameworthy
- censurable
- shameful
- perverse
- loose
- venal
- blamable
- disgraceful
- depraved
- scoundrelly
- blackguardly
- degenerate
- perverted
- profligate
- decadent
- libertine
- dissolute
- debased
- degraded
- debauched
- demoralized
- dissipated
- disreputable
- reprobate
3
as in moral
guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong ethical writers do not use the words of other writers without giving them proper credit Synonyms & Similar Words
- honorable
- moral
- conscientious
- honest
- principled
- scrupulous
- responsible
- good
- worthy
- respectful
- just
- conscionable
- virtuous
- decent
- true
- righteous
- reliable
- upright
- dutiful
- trustworthy
- respected
- straight
- right-minded
- observant
- reputable
- solid
- upstanding
- overconscientious
- esteemed
- trusty
- law-abiding
- tried-and-true
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unethical
- immoral
- immoral
- unscrupulous
- dishonest
- unjust
- evil
- unprincipled
- dishonorable
- unconscionable
- sinful
- cutthroat
- bad
- wicked
- indecent
- unrighteous
- unreliable
- untrustworthy
- depraved
- corrupt
- degenerate
- perverted
- dissolute
- debased
- low
- villainous
- atrocious
- debauched
- vicious
- infamous
- vile
- nefarious
- evil-minded
- base
- mean
- iniquitous
- reprobate
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of ethical are moral, noble, righteous, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.
committed to the highest ethical principles
The meanings of moral and ethical largely overlap; however, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.
the basic moral values of a community
Although the words noble and ethical have much in common, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.
had the noblest of reasons for seeking office
The words righteous and ethical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.
wished to be righteous before God and the world
While the synonyms virtuous and ethical are close in meaning, virtuous implies moral excellence in character.
not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless