MORAL Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'moral' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of moral are ethical , noble , righteous , and virtuous . While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong. // the basic moral values of a community

Q: When is 'ethical' a more appropriate choice than 'moral'?

The synonyms ethical and moral are sometimes interchangeable, but ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity. // committed to the highest ethical principles

Q: When might 'noble' be a better fit than 'moral'?

Although the words noble and moral have much in common, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character. // had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Q: In what contexts can 'righteous' take the place of 'moral'?

In some situations, the words righteous and moral are roughly equivalent. However, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious. // wished to be righteous before God and the world

Q: When could 'virtuous' be used to replace 'moral'?

While the synonyms virtuous and moral are close in meaning, virtuous implies moral excellence in character. // not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

moral 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯr-əl

Definition of moral

as in ethical

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue the kind of moral behavior that is expected of everyone in the parish's youth organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honorable

guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong a moral decision to refrain from sexual relations until after marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moral

2 of 2

noun

as in principle

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective moral differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of moral are ethical, noble, righteous, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When is ethical a more appropriate choice than moral?

The synonyms ethical and moral are sometimes interchangeable, but ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When might noble be a better fit than moral?

Although the words noble and moral have much in common, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

In what contexts can righteous take the place of moral?

In some situations, the words righteous and moral are roughly equivalent. However, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

When could virtuous be used to replace moral?

While the synonyms virtuous and moral are close in meaning, virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of moral

Adjective

The consequences tend to be diplomatic — a fall in moral standing on the world stage. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Palestinians have been systematically dehumanized, along with the broader Arab and Muslim world, to serve the foreign policy objectives of governments without questioning the moral and legal implications. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

As my son Wes aptly said, the moral of the story is that some democrats seem okay with Nazi symbolism but not a Jewish state. — Doug Friednash, Denver Post, 3 June 2026 Without naming names but easy enough to deduce, Joan Baez has let her disappointment known about the morals of some of the most popular women in the music industry. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for moral

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moral

Adjective

The Science and Technology in Society Forum is intended as a venue for leaders to discuss how to maximize the benefits of science and address ethical and safety issues.

— Jared Perlo, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2026
Warsh promised to be an independent leader, with high ethical standards, whom markets and the public could trust.

— Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of ethical

Noun

And yet the principle is the same, as illustrated by my humble example above.

— Robert Klose, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2026
What happens when that same principle is applied to families, workplaces, corporations, healthcare systems, schools, financial institutions, social-media companies, and governments?

— Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of principle

Adjective

Ask each business owner to absorb the run-rate at renewal, and the honest answer arrives faster than any dashboard.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Each episode, the brutally honest Ramsay comes in to help the struggling restaurant fix its problems or its negative image, and in turn the restaurants get publicity from being on a national television show.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

The output of such organizations affects everyone, and a conscientious official may reasonably fear that exiting in a crisis will only accelerate it.

— Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Almost 7% of Tarrant County kindergarteners had a conscientious exemption to at least one vaccine in the 2025-26 school year, up from 3% five years ago, according to state data.

— Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of conscientious

Noun

Marriott’s underlying core value of care is just one of the reasons that leaders like Martinez choose to stay with Marriott.

— Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
By merging the two failing car companies, Marchionne created the seventh-largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, increasing Fiat’s value more than tenfold.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of value

Adjective

The court has already said that second half is Congress’ job, and the usual objection — that nobody could tell the difference — is about to stop being true.

— John Mildenberger, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
But back then, Carla was worth significantly more than Morgan; now, the inverse is true.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of true

Noun

Some universities have a long standing tradition of continually testing students’ ability to explain and rationalise their theories.

— Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
The defense said the government’s theory is unsupported and urged the judge to dismiss the charges.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of theory

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moral

moralism

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“Moral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moral. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of moral

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