moral sense

American  

noun

1. the ability to determine the rightness or wrongness of actions.

---

Etymology

Origin of moral sense

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

Withdrawing funding for a promising experimental vaccine makes no financial or moral sense.

From Salon • Oct. 11, 2025

Associate Justice William W. Bedsworth wrote on behalf of the district court that its role was “not to render judgment in a moral sense, but only as to the legal issues raised.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2024

He had a moral sense of right and wrong, Whaley said.

From Washington Post • Feb. 2, 2023

Ms. John, who had a strong moral sense and whose nickname was Able Mable, he added, also did her best to steer the band away from the temptations of the road.

From New York Times • Sep. 10, 2022

We have formed your society in a particular way in the hope that you will rediscover the moral sense most of us have lost.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth