prejudice noun An unfair, preconceived opinion about a person or group, usually not based on actual experience or reason. The training program aims to help employees recognize their own unconscious prejudice. + integrity noun The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that one follows consistently. The auditor was known for her integrity, refusing to overlook even minor discrepancies. + empathy noun The ability to understand or share another person's feelings and perspective. Listening without interrupting helped her show empathy for her frustrated friend. + courage noun The ability to face fear, danger, or difficulty without being overcome by it. It took real courage for her to speak up in front of the whole board. + injustice noun Unfair treatment or a lack of fairness within a system or society. The documentary exposed a long history of injustice in the local courts. + innocence noun The state of not being guilty of a crime or wrongdoing. The new evidence finally proved his innocence after ten years in prison. + morality noun Principles and beliefs concerning what is right and wrong behavior, and the degree to which actions conform to those standards. The novel raises difficult questions about morality during a brutal war. + hypocrisy noun The act of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs that one's own behavior does not match. Critics accused the senator of hypocrisy after he broke the very law he had championed. + tolerance noun The willingness to accept or endure beliefs, behavior, or conditions different from one's own without objecting. The workshop encouraged greater tolerance of different cultural traditions among employees. + compassion noun A deep feeling of sympathy for someone's suffering, combined with a desire to help. The nurse treated every patient with remarkable compassion and gentle patience. + racism noun Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against people based on their race. The report documented widespread racism in the company's hiring practices. + segregation noun The enforced or systematic separation of people, especially by race, ethnicity, or class. The civil rights movement fought to end racial segregation in public schools. + conscience noun An inner sense that helps a person judge the moral rightness or wrongness of their own actions. His conscience wouldn't let him keep the extra change the cashier had mistakenly given him. + reputation noun The general opinion that people hold about someone's character, abilities, or reliability. The restaurant built a strong reputation for fresh ingredients and attentive, friendly service. + gossip noun Casual talk about other people's private lives, often including rumors that may not be entirely accurate. Office gossip spread quickly once someone mentioned the manager's sudden resignation. + defendant noun A person or organization accused of a crime or sued in a court of law. The defendant pleaded not guilty and requested a trial by jury. + testimony noun A formal statement, especially one given under oath in a court of law, that serves as evidence. The witness gave testimony describing exactly what she saw on the night of the robbery. + verdict noun The formal decision made by a jury or judge on a disputed question in a trial. The jury deliberated for six hours before delivering a guilty verdict. + acquit verb To formally declare someone not guilty of a criminal charge. The jury acquitted the defendant after finding insufficient evidence of guilt. + convict verb To formally declare, through a court, that someone is guilty of a crime. The jury convicted the defendant after only two hours of deliberation. + courtroom noun The room in a courthouse where trials and legal proceedings take place. The courtroom fell silent as the jury returned with its verdict. + recluse noun A person who chooses to live alone and avoids the company of other people. After the scandal, the once-famous actor became a recluse, rarely leaving his country house. + folly noun A lack of good sense; a foolish act, idea, or undertaking, especially one with serious consequences. Investing his entire savings in one stock proved to be a costly folly. + condescension noun An attitude of superiority shown toward someone regarded as less important or capable. His condescension toward junior staff made him deeply unpopular in the office. + benevolence noun A disposition to do good and show kindness toward others. The old teacher was known throughout town for his quiet benevolence toward struggling students. + malice noun The intention or desire to cause harm, suffering, or injury to another person. There was no malice behind the comment; he simply spoke without thinking. + humility noun A modest view of one's own importance, without arrogance, especially despite notable talent or achievement. Despite winning the award, she accepted it with the same humility she showed on her first day. + dignity noun The state or quality of being worthy of honor and respect, often shown through a calm, composed manner. She accepted the difficult diagnosis with remarkable dignity. + scorn noun A strong feeling of contempt or disdain for someone or something considered unworthy of respect. She treated his excuse with scorn, refusing to believe a word of it. + shame noun A painful feeling caused by awareness of wrongdoing, foolishness, or failure. He felt a deep sense of shame after forgetting his daughter's recital. +