Immoral vs Unmoral vs Amoral
What’s the difference between them?
Immoral
Meaning:
Immoral means not conforming to accepted standards of morality or behavior.
Examples:
1. It is immoral to cheat on a test.
2. His immoral behavior made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
3. The actions of the company were seen as highly immoral.
Unmoral
Meaning:
Unmoral is an adjective that describes something to which right and wrong are not applicable.
Examples:
1. Floods are unmoral since they destroy buildings.
2. Crowns are usually unmoral since they can harm the harvest.
Amoral
Meaning:
Amoral means lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with or unaffected by questions of right or wrong.
Examples:
1. The businessman had an amoral lack of compassion for his employees.
2. The politician was accused of taking amoral actions that benefited her own interests.
3. His amoral behavior did not sit well with his friends and family.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Immoral
Unethical
wicked
Moral
Unmoral
There are no direct synonyms for this word.
Moral
Amoral
Without morals
nonmoral
Moral
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Immoral", "Unmoral", "Amoral".
1. Immoral refers to something that is wrong and violates accepted standards of morality.
2. Unmoral describes something that is neither right nor wrong, but a neutral action that does not have any moral implications. Unmoral refers to animals and natural changes.
3. Amoral refers to behavior when someone lacks of moral sense. Usually it's refers to people that act against the rules, but think that they do everything correctly.
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Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word?
The word 'immoral' is used to describe actions or behavior that is considered to be unethical or wrong. It is used to describe something that goes against accepted social values or moral standards. For example, 'Stealing is an immoral act'.
When to use the second word?
The word 'unmoral' is used when describing something that is neither right nor wrong. It's used refering to animals and natural phenomenons.
When to use the third word?
The word 'amoral' is used to describe something or someone that has lack of morality. It is usually refered to acts of dishonest dids such as corruption, lie, etc.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
No, the words 'immoral', 'unmoral' and 'amoral' have different pronunciations. The word 'immoral' is pronounced 'im-or-ul', the word 'unmoral' is pronounced 'ahn-mor-al' and the word 'amoral' is pronounced 'am-or-al'.
What are common mistakes associated with words 'Immoral', 'Unmoral' and 'Amoral'?
One of the most common mistakes associated with these words is confusing 'immoral' and 'amoral'. Both words can describe something that does not adhere to accepted moral standards, but 'immoral' is used to describe actions or behavior that is wrong and 'amoral' is used to describe somebody who is lack of morality.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. Many believe that stealing is an ___ act.
2. Nature is ___; it doesnt have a sense of right or wrong.
3. Some businessmen operate in an ___ manner, only focusing on profits and not considering the ethical implications.
4. A rock or a chair is ___ because morality doesnt apply to it.
5. Committing fraud is widely considered ___ by society.
6. For some, using animals in experiments is an ___ decision.
7. Hurricanes and earthquakes are ___ events; they dont have moral intentions.
8. The villain in the story was portrayed as an ___ character with no understanding of good or evil.
9. While colors might evoke emotions, in themselves they are ___.
1. Many believe that stealing is an immoral act.
Explanation: Stealing is considered against accepted standards of morality, making it immoral.
2. Nature is unmoral; it doesnt have a sense of right or wrong.
Explanation: Nature doesnt have a concept of morality, so its neither moral nor immoral. Hence, it is unmoral.
3. Some businessmen operate in an amoral manner, only focusing on profits and not considering the ethical implications.
Explanation: The businessmen in the example lack a moral sense and are unconcerned with right or wrong. This makes their behavior amoral.
4. A rock or a chair is unmoral because morality doesnt apply to it.
Explanation: Objects like rocks or chairs dont have feelings or intentions, so morality doesnt apply to them. They are unmoral.
5. Committing fraud is widely considered immoral by society.
Explanation: Fraud is against the accepted standards of morality in most societies, thus its immoral.
6. For some, using animals in experiments is an immoral decision.
Explanation: The use of animals in experiments, when deemed wrong by some, is considered against accepted moral standards, making it immoral.
7. Hurricanes and earthquakes are unmoral events; they dont have moral intentions.
Explanation: Natural events dont have intentions or feelings. They just occur, so they are unmoral.
8. The villain in the story was portrayed as an amoral character with no understanding of good or evil.
Explanation: A character that doesnt have an understanding of good or evil lacks a moral sense, making them amoral.
9. While colors might evoke emotions, in themselves they are unmoral.
Explanation: Colors, as inanimate qualities, dont have intentions or feelings, so morality doesnt apply to them. They are unmoral.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.