moral compass

American  

[mawr-uhl kuhm-puhs, mor‐] / ˈmɔr əl ˈkʌm pəs, ˈmɒr‐ /

noun

• moral compasses
  plural

1. an internalized set of values and objectives that guide a person with regard to ethical behavior and decision-making.

   a rebellious teenager without a moral compass.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• moral compasses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of moral compass

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

moral compass

What about the faintly ludicrous figure of the foregoing 100-plus minutes was supposed to make me care about his moral compass?

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

The more Mary affords grace to others, the more she gains confidence in who she is, as a person with a strong moral compass forged away from her mother’s ambitions.

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026

But these thoughts are known as ego-dystonic, which means they are in direct conflict with that person's beliefs and moral compass.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

“The public narrative that has emerged could not be further from the woman I know,” wrote one friend, who described Sangha as having a strong moral compass.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

He steered by the guidance of his own peculiar moral compass, regardless of the rough waters through which it led him.

From Mr. Opp by Alice Caldwell Hegan Rice