moral 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯr-əl How to pronounce moral (audio)
Definition of moralnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moral

2 of 2

noun

as in principle

Related Words

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
Not all of them come with neat little morals or a light behind every goodbye. —Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 17 Sep. 2025 That was my direct message — not the money but the moral. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
The revelation not only solves the cold cases but forces Joel to confront the reality of his father’s moral corruption and the weight of his legacy. —Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025 No one trains you for moral courage or unwavering positivity — that’s a different kind of journey. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moral
  1. ethical
  2. honorable
  3. principle
  4. honest
  5. conscientious
  6. value
  7. true
  8. theory
Adjective
  • For architecture fans, the hotel can help set up journeys to pagods and temples over 700 years old; other excursions on offer include trips to floating fishing villages such as Cửa Vạn and Vung Viêng and ethical pearl cultivation.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Courts have occasionally removed government lawyers from cases when an actual conflict of interest or serious ethical violation was proven.
    — Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • Chess pros from around the world have since praised Naroditsky as an honorable player who used his online platform to make chess more accessible.
    — Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Despite being deceived, Stone, who dated Garfield for four years, conceded that the actor's dedication to the secret was honorable.
    — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of honorable
Noun
  • But in this case, the Nuggets might not have enough room on their books for Watson next summer, if avoiding the second apron remains a guiding principle for team ownership.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
  • California Common Cause likewise tossed its principles aside.
    — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of principle
Adjective
  • When his father’s milestone birthday arrived, the teen saw an opportunity to be brutally honest.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Other marketing, the kind of stuff that people who would need to seek out (like, oh, big fans of Bruce) is more honest, like this featurette all about Cooper’s approach to this specific time in The Boss’ life and career.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Bindi’s only six years older, but is very conscientious and a real caregiver.
    — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
  • There are unanswered overtures from the choir’s pianist Horner (Robert Emms), a soft, vulnerable young man whose conscientious-objector status renders him a fellow outsider.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025
Definition of conscientious
Noun
  • After evaluating nine different pairs for comfort, support, and value, the Hoka Mach 6 Sneakers proved to be the best for everyday wear.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Even more suggestive of charter value, Rick Ware and Legacy Motor Club have battled in court over the sale of a charter for $45 million.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Definition of value
Adjective
  • In my experience, this is especially true in the lonely hours of the night while struggling with chronic pain.
    — Joni Eareckson Tada, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • For most Galatasaray supporters, domestic titles were never the true measure of success; Europe was.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of true
Noun
  • The connection between the two cases lies in his approach and the use of controversial theories involving rituals and hidden motivations, which drew significant criticism of his conduct as a prosecutor.
    — Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Another theory is that very heavy rainfall after serious drought violently sloshed the waters of Lake Nyos.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of theory

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Cite this Entry

“Moral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moral. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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