Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun ethics

2 senses of ethics

Sense 1
ethical motive, ethics, morals, morality -- (motivation based on ideas of right and wrong)
       => motivation, motive, need -- (the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior; "we did not understand his motivation"; "he acted with the best of motives")

Sense 2
ethics, moral philosophy -- (the philosophical study of moral values and rules)
       => philosophy -- (the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun ethic

2 senses of ethic

Sense 1
ethic, moral principle, value-system, value orientation -- (the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group; "the Puritan ethic"; "a person with old-fashioned values")
       => principle -- (a rule or standard especially of good behavior; "a man of principle"; "he will not violate his principles")

Sense 2
ethic, ethical code -- (a system of principles governing morality and acceptable conduct)
       => system, system of rules -- (a complex of methods or rules governing behavior; "they have to operate under a system they oppose"; "that language has a complex system for indicating gender")