the moral high ground
noun
: a position in which one has a moral advantage over others
These countries lost/ceded the moral high ground when they entered the war to protect their economic interests.
She believes she has the moral high ground on this issue.
Examples of the moral high ground in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Following the birth of Prince Archie in May 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had one sure way to claim the moral high ground over Prince William and Kate Middleton and the rest of the royal family.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
But Goldberg pushed back immediately, challenging the idea that the United States holds the moral high ground.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
Even worse, pro-democracy Filipinos had lost the moral high ground: their antidemocratic adversary was democratically elected and inspired widespread support from the country’s poor and middle classes.
—Sheila S. Coronel, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2022
What is clear, however, is that Garber and Harvard University have chosen the moral high ground of integrity.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Instead, Lee tried to claim the moral high ground, asserting that the Union victory was one of might over right.
— Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
President Trump and the U.S. would regain the moral high ground in trade disputes.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
As Ellie navigates this in her own life, a trip to Seattle plunges her into a war between a renegade militia and a pre-modern religious cult, with both sides attempting to claim the moral high ground.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
Still, the court’s critics say the charges against the Israeli leaders send a dangerous message to the world about which side holds the moral high ground.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 24 Nov. 2024
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Martha Ross, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
But Goldberg pushed back immediately, challenging the idea that the United States holds the moral high ground.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
Even worse, pro-democracy Filipinos had lost the moral high ground: their antidemocratic adversary was democratically elected and inspired widespread support from the country’s poor and middle classes.
—Sheila S. Coronel, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2022
What is clear, however, is that Garber and Harvard University have chosen the moral high ground of integrity.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Instead, Lee tried to claim the moral high ground, asserting that the Union victory was one of might over right.
— Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
President Trump and the U.S. would regain the moral high ground in trade disputes.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
As Ellie navigates this in her own life, a trip to Seattle plunges her into a war between a renegade militia and a pre-modern religious cult, with both sides attempting to claim the moral high ground.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
Still, the court’s critics say the charges against the Israeli leaders send a dangerous message to the world about which side holds the moral high ground.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 24 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“The moral high ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20moral%20high%20ground. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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