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

Final Word This moment is a test of America’s moral compass. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

While laughing at all these shenanigans, the audience also poignantly gets to know Oscar as a lonely ne’er-do-well who loves the women in his life, and who operates according to his own moral compass. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 24 May 2025

Putin sees an America without a moral compass as an opportunity to steer us—and the world—to a system where might equals right. —Eric Green, Time, 30 Apr. 2025

Something can be considered ethical or unethical for many reasons, but people differ in which reasons matter most to their own moral compasses. —Andrew Luttrell, Time, 24 June 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