moral authority

noun

: trustworthiness to make decisions that are right and good
The scandal has undermined the government's moral authority.

Examples of moral authority in a Sentence

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This breach would not only erode the U.S.' moral authority but provide adversaries with a compelling narrative to question its commitment to international law. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 That does not necessarily elevate their moral authority or give them the right to hand out easy verdicts. Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024 Such actions could exacerbate tensions within the United States, widening the gap between communities over issues of race and immigration and further undermining the country’s moral authority on the global stage. Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Singling out specific regimes risks alienating allies, undermining U.S. moral authority, and reinforcing authoritarians’ claims that Washington meddles in other countries’ domestic affairs. Francisco Rodríguez, Foreign Affairs, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for moral authority 

Dictionary Entries Near moral authority

Cite this Entry

“Moral authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moral%20authority. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

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