moral

/'mɔrəl/

Definition

Adjective:
- Relating to principles of right and wrong behavior: Concerned with or adhering to standards of good character and ethical conduct.
- Psychological or emotional rather than physical: Having an effect on the mind, spirit, or confidence, rather than being tangible.
Noun:
- A lesson about right conduct learned from a story or event: The practical significance or ethical message conveyed by a tale or experience.
- (plural: morals) Principles of behavior; standards of conduct: An individual's or group's understanding of what is good and bad in behavior.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- She faced a moral dilemma about whether to tell the truth. (She faced an ethical dilemma.)
- The team provided moral support during the difficult time. (The team provided psychological or emotional support.)
- He leads a very moral life. (He lives a life characterized by good ethical principles.)
Noun:
- The moral of the fable is that honesty is the best policy. (The lesson of the fable is about honesty.)
- His morals are beyond reproach. (His standards of ethical conduct are impeccable.)

Advanced Usage

"Moral high ground": A position of superior ethical status in an argument or conflict.
- By admitting the mistake, the company sought to claim the moral high ground.
"Moral compass": An inner sense of right and wrong that guides a person's actions.
- Her strong moral compass always leads her to do what is right.
"Moral obligation": A duty based on ethical principles rather than legal rules.
- We have a moral obligation to help those in need.

Variants and Related Words

Morality (n): Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.
- The debate centered on questions of public morality.
Morally (adv): In a way relating to morals or ethics; from a moral perspective.
- He acted morally and refused to take part in the scheme.
Moralize (v): To comment on issues of right and wrong, typically in a self-righteous or tedious way.
- He tends to moralize instead of offering practical help.
Amoral (adj): Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with right or wrong.
Immoral (adj): Not conforming to accepted standards of morality.

Synonyms

Related Phrases

Moral support: Encouragement or sympathy that gives someone confidence.
- Thank you for your moral support during my exams.
Moral victory: A defeat that has some of the satisfaction of victory because one's principles or goals were shown to be right.
- Although they lost the vote, they considered it a moral victory for their cause.
Moral fiber: Strength of character in adhering to moral principles.
- The challenging situation tested his moral fiber.

Idioms

To take the moral high road: To behave in the most ethical way, especially when others are not.
- Despite the insults, she chose to take the moral high road and not respond in kind.
A question of morals: An issue involving ethical judgment.
- Whether to report your friend is a question of morals.

Adjective

psychological rather than physical or tangible in effect
- a moral victory
- moral support
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
- moral sense
- a moral scrutiny
- a moral lesson
- a moral quandary
- moral convictions
- a moral life

Noun

the significance of a story or event
- the moral of the story is to love thy neighbor

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