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

This is in contrast to Statham, an orange safety vest kind of guy with a soldier’s moral compass. —Mark Kennedy, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2025

Courage sustains action when the path is difficult, loyalty builds trust, integrity is the moral compass, and openness and transparency ensure credibility. —Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

The twisted moral compass of The Wild Robot results from this era’s tech domination. —Armond White, National Review, 26 Feb. 2025

Willy Staley, who edits the column, says the main task is just letting Mr. Hodgman follow his own moral compass. —Vivian Ewing, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025

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