honorable cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"honorable cause" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a goal or project that is viewed as morally just and worthy of support. For example, "The organization works tirelessly to support an honorable cause - providing clean water for impoverished communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Kevin Cassidy, Oak Park Ill.: It is understood that soldiers in combat must be courageous and selfless, but there can be no honor when there is no honorable cause.

The New York Times

"Many people in the South still believe that is a just and honorable cause.

The New York Times

How can he be praised for pursuing an honorable cause if his supporters commit murder?

The New York Times

"I had been single and had given myself to an honorable cause," said Ebe Hafsah al-Obeidi (a nom de guerre), who married one widow.

The New York Times

No more honorable cause than #freedom.

Vice

That, along with my innate sense of curiosity, and the belief that journalism is an honorable cause of which the Prophet Muhammad would approve, convinced me that I should live my life informing people, holding politicians and powerful people accountable (some of them know exactly what I mean), and giving a voice to those who can't be heard.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The bible of all things correct, "Emily Post's Etiquette," allows that the title "The Honorable" "causes considerable confusion". But it decrees that a White House aide, with the title of assistant to the president and communications director for the Office of Public Liaison, isn't entitled to it.

The Washington Post

Helping us vet the finalists in the Social Entrepreneurs category this year is a panel of individuals who doing their bit for charity and towards honorable causes.

Forbes

Fight only for honorable causes.

WikiHow

When Laurence arrived in Vietnam, he believed the cause honorable and its success certain.

The New York Times - Books

Yet this strong and deeply sincere piece makes the retreat not only honorable but a cause for celebration.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "honorable cause", ensure the context clearly demonstrates why the cause is considered morally upright and worthy of respect. Provide specific details that illustrate its ethical dimensions.

Common error

Avoid using "honorable cause" as a generic descriptor. Instead, substantiate its use by explicitly stating the moral principles or values that make the cause worthy of honor. This adds credibility and prevents the phrase from sounding cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "honorable cause" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a goal or project viewed as morally just and worthy of support.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "honorable cause" is a noun phrase used to describe an endeavor that is considered morally upright and worthy of respect. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a phrase that describes "a goal or project that is viewed as morally just and worthy of support". It typically appears in news and media, reflecting a neutral register, as the examples extracted from Ludwig demonstrate. While the phrase is considered grammatically correct, ensure that the cause being described genuinely aligns with widely accepted moral standards to avoid any misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "worthy endeavor" or "noble pursuit" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worthy endeavor

Replaces both 'honorable' and 'cause' with synonyms emphasizing worthiness and effort.

noble pursuit

Substitutes 'honorable' with 'noble' and 'cause' with 'pursuit', focusing on the high moral character of the undertaking.

justifiable aim

Replaces 'honorable' with 'justifiable' and 'cause' with 'aim', highlighting the fairness and purpose of the endeavor.

righteous mission

Substitutes 'honorable' with 'righteous' and 'cause' with 'mission', emphasizing moral correctness and a sense of purpose.

ethical undertaking

Replaces 'honorable' with 'ethical' and 'cause' with 'undertaking', focusing on the moral principles guiding the action.

laudable objective

Substitutes 'honorable' with 'laudable' and 'cause' with 'objective', emphasizing the praiseworthiness of the goal.

principled struggle

Replaces 'honorable' with 'principled' and 'cause' with 'struggle', highlighting the adherence to moral principles in a challenging situation.

moral imperative

Substitutes 'honorable cause' with a phrase that strongly suggests a duty based on moral principles.

altruistic goal

Replaces 'honorable' with 'altruistic' and 'cause' with 'goal', focusing on the selfless nature of the objective.

defensible position

Highlights that the 'cause' can be defended based on moral or ethical grounds.

FAQs

How can I use "honorable cause" in a sentence?

You can use "honorable cause" to describe any endeavor that is morally just and worthy of respect. For example: "Supporting education is an "honorable cause"." or "He dedicated his life to what he believed was an "honorable cause"."

What are some synonyms for "honorable cause"?

Some alternatives to "honorable cause" include "worthy endeavor", "noble pursuit", or "righteous mission". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe a cause as "honorable"?

While "honorable cause" is generally positive, ensure that the cause genuinely aligns with widely accepted moral standards. If the morality of the cause is debatable, using the phrase may be perceived as biased or insensitive.

What distinguishes an "honorable cause" from a "good cause"?

While both terms denote positive endeavors, "honorable cause" emphasizes the moral uprightness and ethical integrity of the cause. "Good cause" is a broader term that simply indicates a beneficial or helpful aim, without necessarily highlighting its moral dimensions.