moral authority
noun
: trustworthiness to make decisions that are right and good
The scandal has undermined the government's moral authority.
Examples of moral authority in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some who felt targeted criticized him for using the Auschwitz anniversary to comment on the political situation, or suggested that Turski lacked the moral authority for such a warning because of his past support for communism.
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Vanessa Gera, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2025
This long record of pursuing peace and reconciliation gives Africans the moral authority to demand a reconfiguration of the global order.
—Tim Murithi, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023
No state has the moral authority to administer the ultimate punishment.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Throughout our history, presidents good, bad, great, and terrible have placed tremendous value in our moral authority, encouraging us to set an example for the world.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moral authority
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Vanessa Gera, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2025
This long record of pursuing peace and reconciliation gives Africans the moral authority to demand a reconfiguration of the global order.
—Tim Murithi, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023
No state has the moral authority to administer the ultimate punishment.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Throughout our history, presidents good, bad, great, and terrible have placed tremendous value in our moral authority, encouraging us to set an example for the world.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moral authority
Cite this Entry
“Moral authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moral%20authority. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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