What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Ethical vs Equivocal - What's the difference?

ethical | equivocal |

As adjectives the difference between ethical and equivocal

is that ethical is (philosophy|not comparable) of or relating to the study of ethics while equivocal is having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation; ambiguous; uncertain.

As nouns the difference between ethical and equivocal

is that ethical is an ethical drug while equivocal is a word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque.

ethical

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (philosophy, not comparable) Of or relating to the study of ethics.
  • The philosopher Kant is particularly known for his ethical writings.
  • (not comparable) Of or relating to the accepted principles of right and wrong, especially those of some organization or profession.
  • All employees must familiarize themselves with our ethical guidelines.
  • (comparable) Morally approvable, when referring to an action that affects others; good.
  • We are trying to decide what the most ethical course of action would be.
  • (of a drug, not comparable) Only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.
  • In most jurisdictions, morphine is classified as an ethical drug.

    Usage notes

    * In general usage ethical'' is used to describe standards of behavior between individuals, while ''moral'' or ''immoral can describe any behavior. You can call lying unethical or immoral, for example, because it involves the behavior of one person and how it affects another, but violating dietary prohibitions in a holy text can only be described as immoral.

    Derived terms

    * ethical investment * ethical system * meta-ethical * (morally approvable) unethical

    See also

    * ethical dative

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An ethical drug.
  • Anagrams

    *

    equivocal

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Alternative forms

    * (rare)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque.
  • Synonyms

    * double entendre

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation; ambiguous; uncertain.
  • equivocal''' words; an '''equivocal sentence
  • * Jeffrey
  • For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes.
  • Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
  • His actions are equivocal .
  • * Milton
  • equivocal repentances
  • Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful, incongruous.
  • * Burke
  • How equivocal a test.

    Synonyms

    * ambiguous, doubtful, uncertain, indeterminate

    Antonyms

    * unequivocal * (l)

    Derived terms

    * equivocalness