moral victory
noun
: the achievement of something that is important and good
Although they lost, the minority claimed the vote as a moral victory since they had won the support of so many former opponents.
Examples of moral victory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Harry Brook was asked by reporters before the final Test during that summer of 2023 whether, given rain was undeniably the only thing that prevented an England victory in Manchester, a 2-2 draw in the series would be akin to a moral victory.
—
Darren Richman, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.
—Caitlin McFall , Yonat Friling, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
McDaniel is showcasing some true leadership here by not trying to state that what the team did amounted to a moral victory.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
While the tally in the loss column doesn’t count any differently than the 34-6 and 41-7 losses the Cowboys took to this same Eagles team in 2024, there’s a moral victory to be had in having a shot to steal one on the road in Week 1 — even if the effort came up short.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
There is neither justice nor peace nor any kind of moral victory in forcing an old man with dementia into a trial for a 37-year-old crime.
—Meg Pillow
july 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
Superman went from a trajectory toward $550 million to suddenly staring confidently at $600 million or more, if last weekend’s upset moral victory is a sign of things to come.
—Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Their seven runs and 11 hits were at least building blocks for a moral victory.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
Athletes and coaches are loath to admit even a shred of positive in any defeat, let alone in the immediate aftermath, but if ever the moral victory existed, can’t Inter Miami claim some of that even after a 4-0 defeat?
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 29 June 2025
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Darren Richman, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.
—Caitlin McFall , Yonat Friling, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
McDaniel is showcasing some true leadership here by not trying to state that what the team did amounted to a moral victory.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
While the tally in the loss column doesn’t count any differently than the 34-6 and 41-7 losses the Cowboys took to this same Eagles team in 2024, there’s a moral victory to be had in having a shot to steal one on the road in Week 1 — even if the effort came up short.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
There is neither justice nor peace nor any kind of moral victory in forcing an old man with dementia into a trial for a 37-year-old crime.
—Meg Pillow
july 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
Superman went from a trajectory toward $550 million to suddenly staring confidently at $600 million or more, if last weekend’s upset moral victory is a sign of things to come.
—Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Their seven runs and 11 hits were at least building blocks for a moral victory.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
Athletes and coaches are loath to admit even a shred of positive in any defeat, let alone in the immediate aftermath, but if ever the moral victory existed, can’t Inter Miami claim some of that even after a 4-0 defeat?
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moral victory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moral%20victory. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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