moral

[ mawr-uhl, mor- ]

/ ˈmɔr əl, ˈmɒr- /

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See synonyms for: moral / morals on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes.

expressing or conveying truths or counsel as to right conduct, as a speaker or a literary work.

founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on legalities, enactment, or custom: moral obligations.

capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct: a moral being.

conforming to the rules of right conduct (opposed to immoral): a moral man.

virtuous in sexual matters; chaste.

of, relating to, or acting on the mind, feelings, will, or character: moral support.

resting upon convincing grounds of probability; virtual: a moral certainty.

noun

the moral teaching or practical lesson contained in a fable, tale, experience, etc.

the embodiment or type of something.

morals, principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct.

OTHER WORDS FOR moral

5 upright, honest, straightforward, open, virtuous, honorable.

11 integrity, standards, morality.

See synonyms for moral on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of moral

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin mōrālis, equivalent to mōr- (stem of mōs) “usage, custom” + -ālis-al¹

synonym study for moral

11. Morals, ethics refer to rules and standards of conduct and practice. Morals refers to generally accepted customs of conduct and right living in a society, and to the individual's practice in relation to these: the morals of our civilization. Ethics now implies high standards of honest and honorable dealing, and of methods used, especially in the professions or in business: ethics of the medical profession.

OTHER WORDS FROM moral

mor·al·less, adjectivean·ti·mor·al, adjectivehy·per·mor·al, adjectivehy·per·mor·al·ly, adverb

o·ver·mor·al, adjectiveo·ver·mor·al·ly, adverbpre·mor·al, adjectivepre·mor·al·ly, adverbpseu·do·mor·al, adjectivequasi-moral, adjectivequa·si-mor·al·ly, adverbsu·per·mor·al, adjectivesu·per·mor·al·ly, adverbun·der·mor·al, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH moral

moral , morale (see synonym study at the current entry)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use moral in a sentence

I’ve mostly provided moral support, maybe a little company to help with their loneliness.
‘Election Day is over, and guess what?’|Eli Saslow|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
Nomadica saw an opportunity in the space for sustainability as a moral imperative, while working with respected winemakers to can product that speaks to existing wine drinkers and anyone with a refined and curious palate.
Canned wine might have been primed for socializing in the era of social distancing|Rachel King|November 8, 2020|Fortune
They form a sort of moral compass, ethically navigating us through whatever the world throws at us.
The Joys of Being a Stoic - Issue 92: Frontiers|Massimo Pigliucci|November 4, 2020|Nautilus
Because if we went based on our morals, it would go one way.
A key county in Michigan has voted for election winners since 1980. Here’s how swing voters there are feeling now|Brett Haensel|November 2, 2020|Fortune

You know, I think a lot about moral purity tests, which exist on both sides, I’m sure.
Why the Left Had to Steal the Right’s Dark-Money Playbook (Bonus Episode)|Sudhir Venkatesh|October 31, 2020|Freakonomics

British Dictionary definitions for moral

moral

/ (ˈmɒrəl) /

adjective

concerned with or relating to human behaviour, esp the distinction between good and bad or right and wrong behaviourmoral sense

adhering to conventionally accepted standards of conduct

based on a sense of right and wrong according to consciencemoral courage; moral law

having psychological rather than tangible effectsmoral support

having the effects but not the appearance of (victory or defeat)a moral victory; a moral defeat

having a strong probabilitya moral certainty

law (of evidence, etc) based on a knowledge of the tendencies of human nature

noun

the lesson to be obtained from a fable or eventpoint the moral

a concise truth; maxim

(plural) principles of behaviour in accordance with standards of right and wrong

Derived forms of moral

morally, adverb

Word Origin for moral

C14: from Latin mōrālis relating to morals or customs, from mōs custom

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

moral

OTHER WORDS FOR moral

Origin of moral

synonym study for moral

OTHER WORDS FROM moral

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH moral

Words related to moral

How to use moral in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for moral

Derived forms of moral

Word Origin for moral