Unehrliches

Unehrliches is a German adjective meaning not honest or lacking integrity. It describes actions, statements, or motives that fail to meet norms of truthfulness and ethical conduct. The term is formed with the prefix un- attached to ehrlich (honest), reflecting a negation of honesty. It is closely related to the noun Ehrlichkeit (honesty) and to the broader concept of Ehre (honor).

As a noun, the form das Unehrliche can occur in German, though it is far more common to refer to dishonesty with the noun Ehrlichkeit or to describe people as Unehrliche using the plural Die Unehrlichen. In practice, Unehrliches functions as a value-laden descriptor used to express disapproval of deception, insincerity, or sham behavior.

Usage and nuance: Unehrliches carries a strong moral judgment and is more forceful than milder terms such as unaufrichtig (insincere) or verlogen (lie-filled). It appears in everyday speech, journalism, and moral or political discourse to condemn or critique dishonest conduct. While not a formal technical term, it serves as a clear ethical evaluation of motives or claims.

See also: Ehrlichkeit, Ehrlos, Unaufrichtigkeit, Verlogenheit.