moral compass

American  

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

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of moral compass

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

“The only question after the assassination and its immediate celebration is: What the heck is going on with America’s moral compass?” said Heather Mac Donald, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is so tawdry and pitiful and, yet, so perfectly appropriate for a man of gross appetites and bereft of a moral compass.

From Seattle Times

AI trains on our own flawed human data sets — unrestrained by a moral compass, social pressure or legal restrictions.

From Washington Post

Not trusting that a person losing his moral compass in the pursuit of status is drama enough — or perhaps just feeling that it had already been done — Knight has chosen to embroil Pip in crime and corruption under the influence of Jaggers, a minor character in the book who becomes a major one here.

From Los Angeles Times

"Some in the Republican Party have lost their moral compass on foreign policy, as evidenced by former president Donald Trump, who once called Putin's invasion 'genius' and 'savvy,'" Sununu wrote.

From Reuters