moral compass

[mawr-uhl kuhm-puhs, mor‐]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of moral compass¹

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

Roske’s call to turn herself in, the judge added, “speaks volumes about her internal moral compass and her innate understanding that what she was about to do was terribly wrong.”

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Sometimes that moral compass has its place.

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The Times quoted Mackintosh as saying in reference to the correspondence in the archive: "Herbie has a very strong moral compass as a person. He has the very quality to reflect in popular song and lyric the ethos of Victor Hugo."

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"And I just thought, why is this happening? And not just because I'm a father, but I think any human being with a moral compass can look at that situation and think, what's going on with society today that we're in this era where these young boys are stabbing young girls to death?"

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That does a number on his moral compass.

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