principled
Guided by ethics
Principled describes someone who acts according to strong moral convictions or ethical standards: a principled stand against corruption, She's too principled to accept bribes.
The word implies consistency—a principled person doesn't abandon their values when inconvenient.
It often appears in contexts of integrity under pressure: He made the principled but unpopular decision to resign.
Morally excellent, principled
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- scrupulousThorough and principled
- righteousMorally good, justified
- justFair and impartial
fair · equitable · impartial · unbiased · humane · incorruptible · trustworthy · sincere
Free from deception
- truthfulAccurate and sincere
- authenticVerified as original
- genuineTruly what it claims
- transparentAllowing light through
forthright · candid · straightforward · aboveboard · uncorrupted · unbribable · incorruptible · trustworthy
Firmly loyal, unshakeable
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
- firmSolid or resolute
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
committed · persistent · staunch · tenacious · strong-willed · uncompromising · unflinching · unshakable
Composed and respectable
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- chivalrousHonorably courteous and brave
- magnanimousNoble and forgiving
- nobleTitled or virtuous
admirable · laudable · commendable · esteemed · respected · meritorious · exemplary · worthy
virtuous
Morally excellent, principled
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- scrupulousThorough and principled
- righteousMorally good, justified
just · fair · equitable · impartial · unbiased · humane · incorruptible · trustworthy · sincere · genuine
honest
Free from deception
transparent · forthright · candid · straightforward · aboveboard · uncorrupted · unbribable · incorruptible · trustworthy · reliable
steadfast
Firmly loyal, unshakeable
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
- firmSolid or resolute
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
unyielding · committed · persistent · staunch · tenacious · strong-willed · uncompromising · unflinching · unshakable · single-minded
dignified
Composed and respectable
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- chivalrousHonorably courteous and brave
- magnanimousNoble and forgiving
noble · admirable · laudable · commendable · esteemed · respected · meritorious · exemplary · worthy · illustrious
- negotiationbargaining, bargain, negotiate, mediation, compromise
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude
- moral judgmentsgood, evil, wicked, virtuous, moral
- dependabilityreliable, dependable, trustworthy, trusted, steadfast
- approachesapproach, approaches, method, methods, way
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
principledunprincipled
Lacking moral standards
unscrupulous · dishonest · unethical · corrupt · immoral
principledopportunistic
Exploiting circumstances for gain
expedient · unprincipled · self-serving · unscrupulous · pragmatic
- in principleAbstractly true, practically uncertain
- first principlesBasic truths underlying reasoning
- guiding principlesFoundational rules for conduct
- biblical principlesMoral teachings from scripture
- founding principlesInitial guiding beliefs
- moral principleRule of right conduct