morality
noun
mo·ral·i·ty
mə-ˈra-lə-tē 
mȯ-
plural moralities
1
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
Psychiatry2
: conformity to ideals of right human conduct
admitted the expediency of the law but questioned its morality
3
: moral conduct : virtue
… morality today involves a responsible relationship toward the laws of the natural world …—P. B. Sears
P. B. Sears4
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.
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
Philosophers and social scientists have often stood apart in their treatment of morality.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
As some Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie break from traditional pro-Israel positions, Johnson emphasized unity, morality and support for the Jewish community.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Islamic Revolutionary Committees, or komiteh—predecessors to today’s morality police—swept up people for past affiliations, outspoken views and public behavior that ran against new rules or their Islam code, causing thousands to seek refuge abroad.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
When the pursuit of the truth calls character into question, a war over morality begins and a clash between #MomTok and #DadTok erupts.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 26 Nov. 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.
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
As some Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie break from traditional pro-Israel positions, Johnson emphasized unity, morality and support for the Jewish community.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Islamic Revolutionary Committees, or komiteh—predecessors to today’s morality police—swept up people for past affiliations, outspoken views and public behavior that ran against new rules or their Islam code, causing thousands to seek refuge abroad.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
When the pursuit of the truth calls character into question, a war over morality begins and a clash between #MomTok and #DadTok erupts.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 26 Nov. 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 8 Dec. 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