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

The debate around whether AI could be worthy of moral consideration has long been confined to the more philosophical circles of the AI industry. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Visitors say that the challenges that come with the squirrels create a moral dilemma. —Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Noun

That’s the moral of the 2026 Ram 1500 pickup. —Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 28 Dec. 2025

Instead of offering the fiction of a solution—a moral of the story that can be imposed on children, in some better form of adult authority—this offering of respect directs us to ways of moving into a shared predicament, and toward solidarity. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025