morally bankrupt

English

Etymology

The term bankrupt is used in the sense of completely lacking something.

Adjective

morally bankrupt (comparative more morally bankrupt, superlative most morally bankrupt)

1. (idiomatic) Having no morals, unethical.
   • 1962, United States Congress, Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates, U.S. Government Printing Office, page A3202:

     When man loses the simple faith of his childhood, belief in home, family, and God, he is morally bankrupt. When man is morally bankrupt, he seeks something to live by and is ripe for Communist conversion.

   • 1974, Forbes, volume 113, Forbes Incorporated, page 49:

     Is it morally bankrupt of a company to switch from one generally accepted accounting method to another generally accepted accounting method just because the switch happens to increase reported earnings?

   • 1983, United States Commission on Civil Rights. Georgia Advisory Committee, Perceptions of Hate Group Activity in Georgia: A Report, The Commission, page 9:

     Retreat from governmental protection and from strong advocacy of social justice is caused "by the morally bankrupt political leadership in America." He cited Congressional efforts to maintain a dual, unequal system of public education and lack of enforcement of fair housing.

Derived terms

• moral bankruptcy

Translations

Translations

• Dutch: moreel bankroet