moral 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯr-əl How to pronounce moral (audio)
Definition of moralnext
1
as in ethical
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue the kind of moral behavior that is expected of everyone in the parish's youth organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honorable
guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong a moral decision to refrain from sexual relations until after marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moral

2 of 2

noun

as in principle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective moral differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of moral are ethical, noble, righteous, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When is ethical a more appropriate choice than moral?

The synonyms ethical and moral are sometimes interchangeable, but ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When might noble be a better fit than moral?

Although the words noble and moral have much in common, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

In what contexts can righteous take the place of moral?

In some situations, the words righteous and moral are roughly equivalent. However, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

When could virtuous be used to replace moral?

While the synonyms virtuous and moral are close in meaning, virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of moral
Adjective
None of this, of course, is to suggest that Pope Leo XIV’s perspectives on social and moral concerns will be binding on corporations and their leaders. —Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Dabbling in crime didn’t leave any more of a moral or physical escape route than a full commitment — and now they’re forced to commit. —Peter White, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Noun
Compliance with these directives violates my own morals and ethics and regularly requires me to contemplate behaviors that violate both my Physician’s Professional Oath and my Oath of Federal Service. . . —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2025 For some characters, however, the finale was all about letting go of their morals and embracing their material wants. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moral
  1. ethical
  2. honorable
  3. principle
  4. honest
  5. conscientious
  6. value
  7. true
  8. theory
Adjective
  • Ever-committed to ethical leadership, sustainable growth, and responsible business practices, Mr. Jitjanuruk imparts these goals on the next generation of financial leaders and the modern fintech industry.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • The controversial transfer has sparked a political furor, with both Democrats and Republicans opposing the luxury jet on ethical grounds.
    — Jade Walker, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • The comparison with Lexus is honorable but not accurate.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • We were honored because our parents were honorable.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Definition of honorable
Noun
  • This same principle guides LLS’s approach to social issues and political proposals.
    — Lynn Godfrey, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The court found that denying legal recognition to the non-biological mother violates the constitutional principles of equality and personal identity and violates the child’s rights to care, education and emotional continuity from both parents.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Definition of principle
Adjective
  • Like so many good honest people with common sense who work hard and pay taxes, the Democrat party has abandoned them.
    — Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Because spontaneous conversations are harder in a hybrid environment, actively create spaces for honest discussions.
    — Ayaskant Sarangi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Hybrid tea roses are the classic case as continual new waves of flowers depend on conscientious removal of spent blooms.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025
  • And a committed Marxist's cold-blooded murder of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night was the natural and inevitable consequence of a conscientious, years-long campaign to dehumanize Jews and otherize all supporters of the world's only Jewish state.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Definition of conscientious
Noun
  • But the state counted on an average annual return of 8.5% on its pension investments back then, very aggressive assumptions that inflated the funds’ values by billions of dollars.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
  • Then, when rates do come down and investors go looking for higher income, the value of these funds’ bonds—and indeed the value of these funds themselves—should rise.
    — Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of value
Adjective
  • The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Looking back more than six decades, it’s generally agreed by automotive historians that the 1964 Pontiac GTO was the first true muscle car.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 May 2025
Definition of true
Noun
  • Russian sources, however, have suggested a third theory: that Portnov might have held compromising material on current Ukrainian officials.
    — Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • The chance encounter turned out to be a first-of-its-kind sighting — and confirmation of an expert theory.
    — Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Definition of theory

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Cite this Entry

“Moral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moral. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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