morality

noun

mo·ral·i·ty | \ mə-ˈra-lə-tē

, mȯ-\

plural moralities

Definition of morality

1a : 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.

2a : a doctrine or system of moral conduct the basic law which an adequate morality ought to state— Marjorie Grene

b moralities plural : particular moral principles or rules of conduct we were all brought up on one of these moralities — Psychiatry

3 : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about morality

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Examples 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

But morality — whether intrinsic or extrinsic — doesn't hinge on the threat or promise of an afterlife or of being saved. — Kirsten Clodfelter, Good Housekeeping, "When My Young Daughter Asked If God Was Just a Story, Here's Why I Said Yes," 28 Apr. 2016 The Committee for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue, to give them their formal title, no longer have the power to enforce public morality. — The Economist, "A wild rideRadical reforms in Saudi Arabia are changing the Gulf and the Arab world," 21 June 2018 But that kinship mistakes cynicism for earnestness, volume for accuracy, popularity for morality. — Jon Caramanica, New York Times, "The Battle for Kanye West Is Happening in Real Time," 2 May 2018 That turns the character from a morality boogeyman into a metaphor for the vicious, unexpected cruelty that ordinary life can bring. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "The new Halloween is a slasher movie with an actual message," 19 Oct. 2018 But as chimpanzees clearly demonstrate, war and competition between groups are not sufficient to give rise to humanlike morality. — John Hawks, WSJ, "‘The Goodness Paradox’ Review: The Benefits of Good Breeding," 25 Jan. 2019 At the heart of both the financial and political arguments are basic questions of conscience and morality. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, ""Invisible Hand" Has Fresh Urgency At TheaterWorks," 1 June 2018 Father Jonathan, on the morality of this, your thoughts? — Fox News, "Paul: Trump sees Mueller probe as 'accusation of collusion'," 18 July 2018 Despite her mother's strict nature, Hermione is obviously dying to hop in that gray area of morality. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Crazy Secrets We Learned About the "Riverdale" Parents on “The Midnight Club” Episode," 8 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'morality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.