moral authority
"Moral authority" refers to the respect and influence someone holds due to their ethical integrity and principles, allowing them to guide others in matters of right and wrong.
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Definition
C1Ethics
(formal, academic)The respect and influence one holds due to perceived ethical integrity and principles.
Example
- Nelson Mandela is often cited as a person with great moral authority.
- The judge's moral authority was unquestioned, guiding many through difficult ethical dilemmas.
C1Leadership
(formal)The recognized right to lead or guide others based on ethical credibility and fairness.
Example
- Her moral authority as a leader inspired her team to always strive for honesty and integrity.
- The organization's moral authority was evident in its commitment to ethical practices.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "moral authority":
moral imperativemoral compasspublic authoritysignature authoritymoral police