moral compass
noun
plural moral compasses
: a set of beliefs or values that help guide ethical decisions, judgments, and behavior : an internal sense of right and wrong
Mr. Mandela was unique. How often in a generation does a giant walk among us, with brilliance and courage, guided by an immaculate moral compass?—
Tayari Jones
Tayari JonesThere are common causes for lapses in ethical judgment that can include ego, power, greed, fear, compulsion, embarrassment, rationalization, or basic lack of a moral compass.—Kevin Woodhouse
Kevin WoodhouseWomen who work hard to make businesses and communities better and help set our moral compasses with their actions are my heroes.—Edie Boan
Edie Boan
also
: someone or something that serves as a standard for guiding moral choices, judgments, or behavior
Here was the lead character, the show's moral compass, played by its best-known actor—and this is what happens to him? —Kristi Turnquist
Kristi Turnquist In his role as manager of Changes Group Home in New London, Henderson serves as a moral compass for young men who need direction. —Tim Frogerg
Tim Frogerg Examples of moral compass in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Denver Pyle played Uncle Jesse, the Duke family’s moral compass and father figure.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 July 2025
Invite employees to help shape and evolve these standards, giving them ownership of the organization’s moral compass.
—Melanie Hughes, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Hearing those words kept Coco from buckling under the pressure and resorting to doing things that didn’t align with her moral compass, which could have brought a vastly different ending to her story.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 18 June 2025
And this time, the moral compass of the nation may lie not in Washington, but in the streets.
—Sergio Munoz Bata, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for moral compass
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Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 July 2025
Invite employees to help shape and evolve these standards, giving them ownership of the organization’s moral compass.
—Melanie Hughes, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Hearing those words kept Coco from buckling under the pressure and resorting to doing things that didn’t align with her moral compass, which could have brought a vastly different ending to her story.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 18 June 2025
And this time, the moral compass of the nation may lie not in Washington, but in the streets.
—Sergio Munoz Bata, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for moral compass
Cite this Entry
“Moral compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moral%20compass. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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