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
• spotless
• uncorrupted
• menschy
• pharisaical
• self-righteous
• incorrupt
• lily-white
• goody-goody
• 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

Related 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
• 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

But she eventually was removed on moral incapacity grounds, with lawmakers citing the high crime rate and corruption scandals. —Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026

By aiming their indictment at the King, the Founders converted constitutional disputes into a moral crusade. —The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026

Noun

While the moral comes through loud and clear, that’s largely because the film’s bland depiction of slumberland isn’t a fraction as well-realized — or even as fun! —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025

The moral of its story is that becoming a stereotype can lead to someone’s demise, especially for Black women who are left vulnerable and unprotected when their community falls apart. —Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025