moral

Connected with beliefs about what is right and wrong in people’s behavior.

• We discussed the moral issues.
• Parents help children develop moral values.
• She felt a moral duty to tell the truth.

Similar words: ethical

Common phrases: moral values, moral duty, moral dilemma, moral judgment

Right and good according to beliefs about how people should behave.

• Helping them was the moral choice.
• Is it moral to keep money you found?
• She tried to act in a moral way.

Similar words: ethical, right, virtuous

Opposites: immoral, unethical

Common phrases: moral action, moral choice, moral behavior, moral conduct

A lesson about life or good behavior that a story or experience teaches.

• The story has a clear moral.
• What is the moral of this tale?
• The moral I learned was never to judge by appearances.

How to use it: the moral of something (The moral of the story is to treat others kindly.)

Similar words: lesson, message

Common phrases: moral of something, clear moral

Beliefs and rules about right and wrong behavior, usually expressed in the plural.

• Her morals guide her decisions.
• They taught their children good morals.
• He refused to compromise his morals for money.

Similar words: principles, ethics, values

Common phrases: good morals, strict morals, public morals