Phrase guide

moral obligation

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A duty which one owes and ought to perform on the basis of considerations of right and wrong, but which he is not legally bound to fulfill, as a duty to be charitable, a duty to pay a debt barred by the act of limitations, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: moral duty

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an obligation arising out of considerations of right and wrong

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he did it out of a feeling of moral obligation

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: duty, responsibility, obligation

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Indonesian: kewajiban moral — duty that one owes because of considerations of right and wrong but he is not legally bound to perform
  • Thai: หน้าที่ธรรมจรรยา (nâa-tîi-tam-má-jan-yaa) — duty that one owes because of considerations of right and wrong but he is not legally bound to perform