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conscientious objection
noun
: objection on moral or religious grounds (as to service in the armed forces or to bearing arms)
Examples of conscientious objection in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rabin objected to the philosopher’s persistent call for conscientious objection to military service in the occupied territories.
—Moti Mizrahi, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2023
As such, hospitals have legal obligations and have set up contingency and staffing plans to prevent violating those doctors' federal conscientious objection protections.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 26 Mar. 2024
Listen to this article Reproductive rights advocates are eyeing a change in state law that would no longer allow medical providers to deny a patient reproductive health care based on a religious or conscientious objection.
—Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 29 Feb. 2024
So, the real question is when does someone’s conscientious objection from a shared, civic or regulatory duty adversely affect the rest of us?
—Clint Bolick, National Review, 3 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for conscientious objection
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conscientious objection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1775, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of conscientious objection was
in 1775
Dictionary Entries Near conscientious objection
Cite this Entry
“Conscientious objection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscientious%20objection. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Legal Definition
conscientious objection
noun
con·scien·tious objection
ˌkän-chē-ˈen-chəs-
: objection on moral or religious grounds (as to military service or bearing arms)
conscientious objector
noun
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