morality
noun
mo·ral·i·ty
mə-ˈra-lə-tē 
mȯ-
plural moralities
1
a
: a moral discourse, statement, or lesson
ended his lecture with a trite morality
b
: a literary or other imaginative work teaching a moral lesson
"Aesop's Fables" is famous as a morality.
2
a
: a doctrine or system of moral conduct
the basic law which an adequate morality ought to state—
Marjorie Grene
Marjorie Grene
b
moralities plural
: particular moral principles or rules of conduct
we were all brought up on one of these moralities—Psychiatry
Psychiatry3
: conformity to ideals of right human conduct
admitted the expediency of the law but questioned its morality
4
: moral conduct : virtue
morality today involves a responsible relationship toward the laws of the natural world—P. B. Sears
P. B. SearsExamples of morality in a Sentence
The group is calling for a return to traditional morality.
two groups with clashing moralities
The decision may be legally justified, but I question its morality.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the film, morality becomes ambiguous, and malleable even, as Coogler brilliantly illustrates duality in his characters and their development while incorporating themes of Hoodoo and Christianity.
—Nia Shumake, Essence, 15 May 2025
Global Constellation has unveiled a first exclusive still for the film, described as a harrowing and timely meditation on the collapse of morality in wartime, and the cost of survival when humanity itself is on the brink.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 May 2025
Changing to looser clothing — in terms of fit, not morality.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
By predicating his executive orders on issues of morality, Trump has created an uneven playing field.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for morality
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.
Nia Shumake, Essence, 15 May 2025
Global Constellation has unveiled a first exclusive still for the film, described as a harrowing and timely meditation on the collapse of morality in wartime, and the cost of survival when humanity itself is on the brink.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 May 2025
Changing to looser clothing — in terms of fit, not morality.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
By predicating his executive orders on issues of morality, Trump has created an uneven playing field.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for morality
Cite this Entry
“Morality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morality. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
morality
noun
mo·ral·i·ty
mə-ˈral-ət-ē
plural moralities
1
: moral quality : virtue
judge the morality of an action
2
: a system of moral rules
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share