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morality

noun

mə-ˈra-lə-tē How to pronounce morality (audio)
Definition of moralitynext
1
as in virtue
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong given his reputation for unswerving morality, scandal of any kind would wreck his political career

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in principles
the code of good conduct for an individual or group the morality that members of the Mafia are expected to adhere to—or suffer the consequences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 morality In a climate which increasingly tells people in these farmers communities that those two values are not politically aligned, sustainable farmers of faith told me that Berry validated their own sense of morality. — Sydney Giacalone, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026 The conflict between these characters is greater than the morality tale engulfing them. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Is the morality fable at the end an allegory of purgatory or hell? — The Week Us, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026 The Sopranos, Mad Men, Breaking Bad — these were dramas about institutions, morality, and power, all told through the highest cinematic craft. — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for morality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for morality
  1. virtue
  2. norms
  3. integrity
  4. standards
  5. honesty
  6. goodness
  7. character
  8. rightness
Noun
  • Though there are multiple interpretations of sharia, its essence is to serve as a code for how Muslims should live and worship — covering such matters as prayer, pilgrimages, fasting, charitable donations and personal virtue.
    — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Baek Ki-hyeon aspired to walk a path of virtue and provide for their sister through honest means — but his calculating spymaster big brother was never going to let them out of his grasp.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • That creates an inherent tension with norms around privacy and personal space.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The transformations that have decimated protest movements—undone by digitization, atomization, and the evanescence of online life—have also affected shame and its ability to mediate social norms without the intervention of the state.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of norms
Noun
  • Avoid overdrying, which can degrade the integrity of the individual cotton fibers.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Focus on either your high level of integrity or your deviousness.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of integrity
Noun
  • This could simplify operations for carriers that operate aircraft with both engine standards.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The Senate has been addressing this week nominee confirmations and a bipartisan college sports bill to create standards on how athletes are paid, priorities that Republicans warn present poor optics to voters.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of standards
Noun
  • Responding with curiosity instead of immediate defensiveness teaches people that honesty is useful rather than dangerous.
    — Kristina Aran, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Thrown together with him again, Billie has to confront the honesty and the deception that brought their relationship to an end.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of honesty
Noun
  • Still, the goodness of the final product justifies the effort.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • But Redick was always LeBron James’ choice, and now that James is gone — thank goodness!
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of goodness
Noun
  • Grande’s character was killed off in the first season, and the series was canceled after two seasons.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Their characters contended with sexism, inflexible schedules, unequal pay and the near impossibility of balancing work with responsibilities at home.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of character
Noun
  • Cool Machine is definitive not only for its sweep but also for the rightness, the evocative precision, of the details that fill its paragraphs like the mystery mix inside the skin of a Gray’s Papaya hot dog.
    — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
  • If the Sun is high in the lunar sky during the flyby, there will be few shadows, and the crew will be looking for subtle variations in surface color and rightness.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of rightness

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moralists
morality
morality play
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Cite this Entry

“Morality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/morality. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on morality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about morality

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