moral victory
noun
: the achievement of something that is important and good
Although they lost, the minority claimed the vote as a moral victory since they had won the support of so many former opponents.
Examples of moral victory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dems glass half-full Given the rough state of the Democratic Party these days, better-than-expected counts as a moral victory.
—
David Catanese, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Despite no official winner being declared, Paul's ability to last the full eight rounds was widely regarded as a moral victory, demonstrating his resilience and ability to compete against a seasoned professional.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Catalan separatists were able to claim a moral victory after the conservative government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy moved to deploy the police to prevent people from voting in Barcelona and other Catalan cities.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2023
Not Ready to Make Nice The Dixie Chicks, 2007
More of a moral victory than a creative one.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025
That moral battle, that moral victory, is maybe even more obvious than the political victory.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 20 June 2024
The win amounts to a moral victory for Trump’s only remaining rival in the GOP race.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2024
He is poised to declare a moral victory for Russia and to take the credit if Obama backs away from intervention.
—Fiona Hill, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2013
That’s just a moral victory for a franchise that no longer tolerates them.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
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David Catanese, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Despite no official winner being declared, Paul's ability to last the full eight rounds was widely regarded as a moral victory, demonstrating his resilience and ability to compete against a seasoned professional.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Catalan separatists were able to claim a moral victory after the conservative government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy moved to deploy the police to prevent people from voting in Barcelona and other Catalan cities.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2023
Not Ready to Make Nice The Dixie Chicks, 2007
More of a moral victory than a creative one.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025
That moral battle, that moral victory, is maybe even more obvious than the political victory.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 20 June 2024
The win amounts to a moral victory for Trump’s only remaining rival in the GOP race.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2024
He is poised to declare a moral victory for Russia and to take the credit if Obama backs away from intervention.
—Fiona Hill, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2013
That’s just a moral victory for a franchise that no longer tolerates them.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Moral victory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moral%20victory. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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