Morality & Ethics Vocabulary

having or showing high moral standards

“She led a virtuous life dedicated to helping others.”

Origin: Latin `virtuosus` from `virtus` (worth, courage, virtue), from `vir` (man)

morally right or justifiable

“His righteous anger was directed at the injustice.”

Origin: Old English `rihtwīs` from `riht` (right) + `wīs` (manner, way)

diligent, thorough, and attentive to accuracy and ethics

“Her scrupulous attention to ethics guided every decision.”

Origin: Latin `scrupulosus` from `scrupulus` (small sharp stone, anxiety), diminutive of `scrupus` (sharp stone)

wishing to do what is right; thorough and careful

“The conscientious employee double-checked every calculation.”

Origin: French `consciencieux` from Latin `conscientia` (knowledge, awareness), from `conscire` (be aware)

acting in accordance with morality; based on principles

“She was principled and refused to compromise her values.”

Origin: Latin `principium` (beginning, foundation), from `princeps` (first, chief)

not conforming to accepted standards of morality

“The immoral scheme exploited vulnerable people.”

Origin: Latin `im-` (not) + `moralis` from `mos` (custom, manner)

lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with right or wrong

“The amoral businessman cared only about profit.”

Origin: Greek `a-` (without) + Latin `moralis` from `mos` (custom, manner)

having no moral principles; dishonest

“The unscrupulous dealer sold counterfeit goods.”

Origin: Latin `un-` (not) + `scrupulosus` from `scrupulus` (small sharp stone, anxiety)

deserving censure or condemnation

“His reprehensible conduct led to his dismissal.”

Origin: Latin `reprehensibilis` from `reprehendere` (to hold back, rebuke), from `re-` (back) + `prehendere` (to grasp)

deserving strong condemnation; shameful

“Living conditions in the prison were deplorable.”

Origin: French `déplorable` from Latin `deplorabilis`, from `deplorare` (to bewail), from `de-` (intensive) + `plorare` (to weep)

deserving contempt; despicable

“His contemptible betrayal destroyed the friendship.”

Origin: Latin `contemptibilis` from `contemnere` (to despise), from `con-` (intensive) + `temnere` (to scorn)

deserving hatred and contempt

“The despicable act shocked the entire community.”

Origin: Latin `despicabilis` from `despicari` (to look down on), from `de-` (down) + `specere` (to look)

utterly odious or wicked

“The heinous crime horrified the nation.”

Origin: Old French `hainos` (hateful) from `haine` (hatred), of Germanic origin

wicked or criminal

“The villain's nefarious plot was finally uncovered.”

Origin: Latin `nefarius` from `nefas` (crime, sin), from `ne-` (not) + `fas` (divine law)

grossly unfair and morally wrong

“The iniquitous system oppressed millions.”

Origin: Latin `iniquus` (unjust, unequal), from `in-` (not) + `aequus` (equal, just)

morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness

“His moral rectitude was beyond question.”

Origin: Latin `rectitudo` (straightness) from `rectus` (right, straight), from `regere` (to guide, rule)

the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty

“Her probity made her an ideal judge.”

Origin: Latin `probitas` (goodness, honesty) from `probus` (good, honest)

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

“A person of integrity keeps their promises.”

Origin: Latin `integritas` (soundness, wholeness) from `integer` (whole, complete), from `in-` (not) + `tangere` (to touch)

depravity; wickedness

“He was dismissed for moral turpitude.”

Origin: Latin `turpitudo` (baseness, ugliness) from `turpis` (ugly, base, shameful)

wrongdoing, especially by a public official

“The mayor was accused of malfeasance in office.”

Origin: French `malfaisance` from `mal` (bad) + `faire` (to do), from Latin `facere`

the study of the nature of duty and obligation

“Deontology focuses on rules rather than consequences.”

Origin: Greek `deon` (duty, that which is binding) + `-logia` (study of)

a moral theory that focuses on the development of virtuous character

“Virtue ethics asks 'what would a virtuous person do?'”

Origin: Latin `virtus` (worth, courage, virtue) + Greek `ethikos` from `ethos` (character, custom)