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moral sense

American  

noun

  1. the ability to determine the rightness or wrongness of actions.


Etymology

Origin of moral sense

First recorded in 1690–1700

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.

See Examples For:

Yet Ford continued to publicize his “victory,” and in a practical if not a moral sense he proved his point.

From The Wall Street Journal May 21, 2026

Withdrawing funding for a promising experimental vaccine makes no financial or moral sense.

From Salon Oct. 11, 2025

Associate Justice William W. Bedsworth wrote on behalf of the district court that its role was “not to render judgment in a moral sense, but only as to the legal issues raised.”

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 28, 2024

Ms. John, who had a strong moral sense and whose nickname was Able Mable, he added, also did her best to steer the band away from the temptations of the road.

From New York Times Sep. 10, 2022

We have formed your society in a particular way in the hope that you will rediscover the moral sense most of us have lost.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

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