moral compass

noun

plural moral compasses

: a set of beliefs or values that help guide ethical decisions, judgments, and behavior : an internal sense of right and wrong

Mr. Mandela was unique. How often in a generation does a giant walk among us, with brilliance and courage, guided by an immaculate moral compass?

—Tayari Jones

There are common causes for lapses in ethical judgment that can include ego, power, greed, fear, compulsion, embarrassment, rationalization, or basic lack of a moral compass.

—Kevin Woodhouse

Women who work hard to make businesses and communities better and help set our moral compasses with their actions are my heroes.

—Edie Boan

also : someone or something that serves as a standard for guiding moral choices, judgments, or behavior

Here was the lead character, the show's moral compass, played by its best-known actor—and this is what happens to him?

—Kristi Turnquist

In his role as manager of Changes Group Home in New London, Henderson serves as a moral compass for young men who need direction.

—Tim Frogerg

Examples of moral compass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As Eric said, as broken as our institutions and our media landscape may be, each and every one of us does still have a moral compass. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025

This is exciting storytelling because each character has their moral compass to contend with. —Dana Feldman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Less than two years after making Memory, in which Jessica Chastain falls for a man with galloping dementia, Mexican director Michel Franco has once again set her on a romantic obstacle course in which nothing, including her own moral compass, runs smoothly. —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025

Dylan was one of many musicians who came to trust in Carter’s tastes and moral compass. —August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for moral compass

• encompass
• rumpus

Kids Definition

moral compass

noun

: a set of beliefs or values that help guide ethical decisions, judgments, and behavior : an internal sense of right and wrong