Synonyms of moral

moral 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯr-əl 

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ethical
• honorable
• honest
• true
• nice
• good
• decent
• virtuous
• noble
• righteous
• right
• worthy
• upright
• all right
• straight
• respected
• just
• proper
• correct
• right-minded
• legitimate
• exemplary
• decorous
• principled
• pure
• innocent
• moralistic
• commendable
• creditable
• seemly
• high-minded
• reputable
• irreproachable
• unobjectionable
• blameless
• esteemed
• angelic
• unerring
• incorruptible
• clean
• guiltless
• scrupulous
• sanctimonious
• inoffensive
• immaculate
• upstanding
• law-abiding
• angelical
• spotless
• uncorrupted
• menschy
• pharisaical
• self-righteous
• incorrupt
• lily-white
• goody-goody
• incorrupted
• rectitudinous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evil
• immoral
• wrong
• sinful
• bad
• wicked
• unethical
• dishonest
• indecent
• improper
• dishonorable
• unrighteous
• corrupt
• unseemly
• incorrect
• naughty
• depraved
• degenerate
• unbecoming
• perverted
• indecorous
• dissolute
• unscrupulous
• debased
• unprincipled
• debauched
• low
• base
• villainous
• atrocious
• infamous
• vicious
• vile
• mean
• offensive
• objectionable
• evil-minded
• libertine
• reprobate
• blameworthy
• nefarious
• iniquitous
• fallen
• errant
• erring

2

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

• honorable
• ethical
• conscientious
• honest
• good
• principled
• responsible
• scrupulous
• worthy
• just
• decent
• true
• conscionable
• virtuous
• respectful
• righteous
• upright
• reliable
• straight
• dutiful
• respected
• observant
• right-minded
• solid
• trustworthy
• reputable
• overconscientious
• trusty
• esteemed
• upstanding
• tried-and-true
• law-abiding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• immoral
• unjust
• evil
• immoral
• unethical
• unscrupulous
• dishonest
• bad
• sinful
• unprincipled
• dishonorable
• wicked
• unconscionable
• indecent
• cutthroat
• unrighteous
• unreliable
• corrupt
• depraved
• degenerate
• untrustworthy
• perverted
• dissolute
• debased
• low
• debauched
• villainous
• base
• atrocious
• infamous
• vicious
• vile
• mean
• evil-minded
• nefarious
• reprobate
• iniquitous

moral

2 of 2

noun

as in principle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• principle
• value
• theory
• tenet
• precept
• standard
• norm
• rule
• belief
• proposition
• doctrine
• law
• basis
• axiom
• hypothesis
• truism
• thesis
• gospel
• verity
• dogma
• foundation
• inference
• canon
• deduction
• declaration
• affirmation
• assertion
• hypothetical
• ground
• conclusion
• presupposition
• presumption
• assumption
• dictum
• given
• premise
• postulate
• premiss
• supposition
• if
• avouchment
• ipse dixit

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

Recent Examples of moral

Adjective

Humans crave a singular leader who will give them a blueprint to enter heaven and relieve them of moral responsibility for their destiny. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025

Many left the profession early due to emotional exhaustion, family and personal health concerns, unsafe staffing ratios, moral injury and lack of institutional support. —Kymberlee Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025

Noun

Yet the moral of Phaedrus’ fable of the soldier-cinaedus is that such deceptive appearances and actions might actually be strategically successful in military matters. —Tom Sapsford, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025

The moral of the story is to build or use additional safety layers to mitigate someone penetrating your network. —Gil Dabah, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025