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

Kudos to President Maric and the administration for taking a stand when other university presidents were struggling to find their moral compasses. —Rep. Steve Weir, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2025

With the goal of providing a moral compass, theologians and leaders of the Catholic Church have often written about economic principles. —Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

The sort of mad obsession of Phaedra and the ambition of Lady Macbeth, but both of those characters, in the end, do have a moral compass. —Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 12 May 2025

Humanity longs for a moral compass, and Leo XIV — formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost — may well be that rare guide. —Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025

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