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Is there a word for an individual who has wrong moral values? I was thinking about "hypocrite", but I'm not sure.

I'm looking for a noun, rather than an adjective. It may also be informal and shouldn't be too strong or too insulting. Imagine a teenager, who is still adjusting his principles and values.

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    By wrong do you mean 'differing from my own'? If so, be aware that the word will also be used by others to describe you. Dec 5, 2015 at 23:50
  • I don't mean 'differing from my own', but rather unethical.
    – Adam Payne
    Dec 5, 2015 at 23:52
  • "Hypocrite" would only work to describe a person who "acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings" (morals), but whether his/her beliefs/feelings/morals are considered to be 'right' or 'wrong' would be irrelevant. Your mention of "unethical" might work, as might "immoral."
    – Papa Poule
    Dec 6, 2015 at 0:11

4 Answers 4

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What about Unprincipled:

 Unprincipled: not having or showing concern for what is right

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Or Nefarious:

Nefarious: flagrantly wicked or impious

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

EDIT:

For a noun, what about Rogue:

Rogue a man who is dishonest or immoral

Okay, what about Rascal? I personally don't think this is too negative:

Rascal: a person and especially a young person who causes trouble or does things that annoy people
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  • 'Unprincipled' is the adjective, but I'm looking for a noun.
    – Adam Payne
    Dec 6, 2015 at 0:06
  • Another one I do not feel like adding a definition to is scoundrel
    – user149442
    Dec 6, 2015 at 0:13
  • Rogue sounds too strong.
    – Adam Payne
    Dec 6, 2015 at 0:19
  • Then what about Rascal?
    – user149442
    Dec 6, 2015 at 0:24
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If, as the OP has said in a comment, the adjective is unprincipled then the noun is reprobate or one of its synonyms.

A reprobate is an unprincipled person, according to Oxford Dictionaries Online.

However, I am not clear that unprincipled is the same thing as having wrong moral values. Unprincipled suggests no moral values at all.

So the question, taken with the comment seems slightly ambiguous. But a reprobate is an unprincipled person.

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"immoral" applies perfectly to someone who has wrong moral values.

  • not morally good or right : morally evil or wrong, conflicting with generally or traditionally held moral principles (The Free Dictionary)

Edit: Oh, you are asking for a noun? I suggest "knave" or "scoundrel"

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  • I'm looking for a noun. May also be informal.
    – Adam Payne
    Dec 6, 2015 at 0:11
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Consider, scalawag

: a usually young person who causes trouble : scamp; reprobate M-W

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