What is the term for a lack of honesty or integrity?

The term for a lack of honesty or integrity is "dishonesty." This word specifically refers to an absence of truthfulness or a deviation from moral principles. Dishonesty can encompass various behaviors, including lying, cheating, and stealing. In legal and ethical contexts, it signifies a failure to uphold honesty, which is fundamentally critical for maintaining trust and fairness in professional and personal relationships.

While other terms might relate to unethical behavior, they carry different nuances. "Fraud," for example, suggests a deliberate deception intended for personal gain, which is a specific application of dishonesty. "Corruption" often implies the abuse of power for illegitimate purposes, affecting systems or organizations rather than individuals' personal integrity directly. "Mala fides," originating from Latin, translates to "bad faith" and typically refers to actions taken with ill intent or without honest purposes in legal matters but is not as direct as "dishonesty" in describing a general lack of integrity.

Thus, "dishonesty" effectively captures the essence of a deficiency in honesty or integrity across various situations.