unethical adj 1: not conforming to approved standards of social or professional behavior; "unethical business practices" [ant: {ethical}] 2: not adhering to ethical or moral principles; "base and unpatriotic motives"; "a base, degrading way of life"; "cheating is dishonorable"; "they considered colonialism immoral"; "unethical practices in handling public funds" [syn: {base}, {dishonorable}, {dishonourable}, {immoral}]