moral authority
Americannoun
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authority that comes from the principles of what is right and wrong rather than just from laws.
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the quality of being considered trustworthy and influential regarding what is right and is wrong.
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a person or institution considered trustworthy and influential regarding what is right and is wrong.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
More than that, allies add legitimacy and moral authority.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
An ICJ opinion is not legally binding, but the court believes it carries "great legal weight and moral authority".
From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025
“Leanne” is, and that gives the moral authority to stand against that tide instead of monetizing neutrality.
From Salon • Aug. 10, 2025
But the Pope heads a huge, wealthy institution with significant moral authority and global sway on everything from conflict resolution to sexual politics.
From BBC • May 5, 2025
She was considered the moral authority of the community.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
