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

There 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

Women who work hard to make businesses and communities better and help set our moral compasses with their actions are my heroes.

—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

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

Examples of moral compass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As Cancer signs are protective, empathic and deeply attuned to emotional undercurrents, the actor is able to embody that as his character Evan serves as the group’s moral compass. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026

The film is set in a luxurious holiday resort, where a Danish family is forced to reassess its moral compass following an accident involving an Afghan refugee. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026

The horrors revealed within its gates woke up the world to the atrocities committed by a country whose leaders had completely lost their moral compass. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026

The bootlicker’s moral compass is malleable. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for moral compass

• encompass
• rumpus

Kids Definition

moral compass

noun

: a set of beliefs or values that help guide ethical decisions, judgments, and behavior : an internal sense of right and wrong