the moral high ground
noun
: a position in which one has a moral advantage over others
These countries lost/ceded the moral high ground when they entered the war to protect their economic interests.
She believes she has the moral high ground on this issue.
Examples of the moral high ground in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, the court’s critics say the charges against the Israeli leaders send a dangerous message to the world about which side holds the moral high ground.
—
Mike Lillis, The Hill, 24 Nov. 2024
And by offering to negotiate a new grand deal, Biden would gain the moral high ground and make Putin’s invasion of Ukraine look even more irrational and immoral.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2022
The Federation Council, no longer claiming the moral high ground over Section 31, later decided to withhold the cure.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Jan. 2025
At the same time, Ukraine’s historical anti-Semitism and the legacy of the Holocaust in that country allowed Putin, at least until February 2022, to occupy the moral high ground in the eyes of many Israelis.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2025
And the work defines the moral high ground that aid groups claim.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Conceding the moral high ground to President-elect Donald J. Trump and his supporters?
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Under the Pisces first quarter moon, holding the moral high ground won't earn you points.
—USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
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In the eyes of many, the Biden pardon cedes the moral high ground the president and his party have spent years staking out.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024
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Mike Lillis, The Hill, 24 Nov. 2024
And by offering to negotiate a new grand deal, Biden would gain the moral high ground and make Putin’s invasion of Ukraine look even more irrational and immoral.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2022
The Federation Council, no longer claiming the moral high ground over Section 31, later decided to withhold the cure.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Jan. 2025
At the same time, Ukraine’s historical anti-Semitism and the legacy of the Holocaust in that country allowed Putin, at least until February 2022, to occupy the moral high ground in the eyes of many Israelis.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2025
And the work defines the moral high ground that aid groups claim.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Conceding the moral high ground to President-elect Donald J. Trump and his supporters?
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Under the Pisces first quarter moon, holding the moral high ground won't earn you points.
—USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
Cyber Monday 2024 Deals Best Cyber Monday deals for holiday shoppers
Top holiday discounts under $100
Apple products marked down for Cyber Monday sales
In the eyes of many, the Biden pardon cedes the moral high ground the president and his party have spent years staking out.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“The moral high ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20moral%20high%20ground. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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