MORAL Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'moral' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of moral are ethical , noble , righteous , and virtuous . While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong. // the basic moral values of a community

Q: When is 'ethical' a more appropriate choice than 'moral'?

The synonyms ethical and moral are sometimes interchangeable, but ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity. // committed to the highest ethical principles

Q: When might 'noble' be a better fit than 'moral'?

Although the words noble and moral have much in common, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character. // had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Q: In what contexts can 'righteous' take the place of 'moral'?

In some situations, the words righteous and moral are roughly equivalent. However, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious. // wished to be righteous before God and the world

Q: When could 'virtuous' be used to replace 'moral'?

While the synonyms virtuous and moral are close in meaning, virtuous implies moral excellence in character. // not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

moral 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯr-əl

Definition of moral

as in ethical

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue the kind of moral behavior that is expected of everyone in the parish's youth organization

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honorable

guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong a moral decision to refrain from sexual relations until after marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moral

2 of 2

noun

as in principle

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective moral differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of moral are ethical, noble, righteous, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When is ethical a more appropriate choice than moral?

The synonyms ethical and moral are sometimes interchangeable, but ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When might noble be a better fit than moral?

Although the words noble and moral have much in common, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

In what contexts can righteous take the place of moral?

In some situations, the words righteous and moral are roughly equivalent. However, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

When could virtuous be used to replace moral?

While the synonyms virtuous and moral are close in meaning, virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of moral

Adjective

Coming from one of the nation’s most prominent advocates, this was not an abandonment of the moral case. — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 This is both a moral responsibility and a practical solution for building a healthier and safer Orange County. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Noun

And the moral of the story is to be nice to the creepy guys in the gas station. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026 The moral of this story is twofold. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moral

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moral

Adjective

Where uncertainty exists, the appropriate response is not to suppress scientific debate, but to strengthen the evidence through rigorous ethical research.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026
If one or more commissioners choose to abstain from a merger vote because of ethical concerns, what would happen next is unclear.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

Definition of ethical

Noun

Through the legal principle known as respondeat superior, employers are generally liable for actions committed by their employees when the employee acts within the scope of their employment.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
The same principle applies to medical devices, diagnostics, digital health technologies, and vaccines.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Definition of principle

Adjective

That is also where the design's costs sit, and an honest account keeps them in view.

— Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Amodei’s assessment of the dangers may be right or wrong, but an ad that grapples with those risks is arguably more honest than previous campaigns that present Claude as a tool for tinkerers and problem solvers.

— Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

The exhibition’s framing of Hamdi as the conscientious Orientalist feels slyly designed to disarm judgment of his work, and even to neutralize his professional misdeeds.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Earth-friendly, conscientious gardeners learn to slow down and pay attention — not only to plants but to the many creatures that share the garden.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026

Definition of conscientious

Noun

Player sales — which are planned for, are made on Newcastle’s terms and, where possible, at the point of maximum value — have become integral.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Its previous generation was in high demand because of its value and quality, but its redesign takes everything up a notch as a bigger and bolder SUV.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of value

Adjective

This underscores how Apple's control over its devices, from hardware to software, limits true ownership and poses challenges for long-term digital preservation.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.

— Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of true

Noun

One theory is that English and European voices provide an air of authority, even legitimacy, to a sport which, while embraced by millions in America, is still ‘foreign’, certainly when compared to NFL, baseball and basketball.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Speculation was rife; one unproven theory was that someone had heated the sensor with a hairdryer.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of theory

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moral

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“Moral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moral. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of moral

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