Meaning & use
someone who lacks integrity
Last updated
UK/ˌsʌmwʌn huː læks ɪnˈteɡrəti/
US/ˌsʌmwʌn huː læks ɪnˈteɡrəti/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
a person who is not honest and does not have strong moral principles
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; often after 'is' or 'seems'.
Patterns
- someone who lacks integrity
- a person who lacks integrity
- be someone who lacks integrity
The manager was someone who lacks integrity, so the staff did not trust him.
She refused to work with someone who lacks integrity.
In politics, it is damaging to be seen as someone who lacks integrity.
Common combinations
- lack integrity
- The report said the officials lack integrity.
- a person of integrity
- He is a person of integrity and always keeps his word.
- moral character
- The job requires strong moral character.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dishonest
- Dishonest means not telling the truth; 'lacks integrity' is broader and includes not following moral principles.
- unprincipled
- Unprincipled means not having moral rules; it is similar but more formal.
Opposites
someone of integrityhonest person
Word family
- integrity noun
- the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
Practice
What does 'someone who lacks integrity' mean?
Choose one answer.
'Integrity' refers to honesty and moral principles, so lacking it means being dishonest or unprincipled.
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