morality
noun
mo·ral·i·ty
mə-ˈra-lə-tē 
mȯ-
plural moralities
1
a
: a doctrine or system of moral conduct
… the basic law which an adequate morality ought to state.—
Marjorie Grene
Marjorie Grene
b
moralities plural
: particular moral principles or rules of conduct
… we were all brought up on one of these moralities …—Psychiatry
Psychiatry2
: conformity to ideals of right human conduct
admitted the expediency of the law but questioned its morality
3
: moral conduct : virtue
… morality today involves a responsible relationship toward the laws of the natural world …—P. B. Sears
P. B. Sears4
a
: a moral discourse, statement, or lesson
ended his lecture with a trite morality
b
: a literary or other imaginative work teaching a moral lesson
"Aesop's Fables" is famous as a morality.
Examples of morality in a Sentence
The group is calling for a return to traditional morality.
two groups with clashing moralities
The decision may be legally justified, but I question its morality.
Recent Examples on the Web
These morality tales, focusing on figures like Michael Milken and Ivan Boesky, make an implicit claim that individual avarice somehow explains the excesses of an entire era.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
As this memoir opens, Iran’s morality police stalk the university where Nafisi works, censuring her female students.
—The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
As ever, politics and morality alike are at the heart of cinematic form.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
Allegations of sovereignty violations, civilian casualties, and lack of due process have prompted debates about the legality and morality of drone warfare under international humanitarian law.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for morality
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Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
As this memoir opens, Iran’s morality police stalk the university where Nafisi works, censuring her female students.
—The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
As ever, politics and morality alike are at the heart of cinematic form.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
Allegations of sovereignty violations, civilian casualties, and lack of due process have prompted debates about the legality and morality of drone warfare under international humanitarian law.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for morality
Cite this Entry
“Morality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morality. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
morality
noun
mo·ral·i·ty
mə-ˈral-ət-ē
plural moralities
1
: moral quality : virtue
judge the morality of an action
2
: a system of moral rules
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