moral barometer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral barometer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a measure or indicator of moral values or ethical standards in a person or society. Example: "The community's response to the crisis served as a moral barometer, revealing their true values and priorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And that the banks at least try to employ a better-functioning moral barometer.

The Guardian - Money

Toni Collette plays Gavin's assistant, Michelle, and his working moral barometer.

The New York Times

She apparently had some kind of moral barometer -- both Kennedy (Kevin Anderson and Sinatra John Ralstonoffendednded her by trying to get her into sexual threesomes.

The New York Times - Arts

As long as a person's actions do not harm anyone and stay within the range of their moral barometer, I think they deserve respect.

The Guardian - Opinion

In an interview on Thursday, Lou Berger, a former head writer at "Sesame Street," described Ms. Freudberg as the show's "moral barometer"; if she thought something was not right for the show, he said, she would say so without hesitation.

The New York Times - Arts

"Basically, what she did was provide a moral barometer which married almost exactly with that of libertarian socialism and anarchism, and she provided the star which I followed," he says.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

John Brennan, Tenet's former chief of staff, said, "It all comes down to individual moral barometers".

The New Yorker

They ought to have been our moral barometers, men who would advocate for the change Obama promised in 2008.

The Guardian - Opinion

Films such as Michael Haneke's Hidden make great play of her still, self-possessed aura, installing her as a kind of moral compass, a barometer for social unease.

The Guardian - Film

As the London Games have demonstrated, medal standing is not necessarily a barometer of moral character.

The New York Times - Sports

If Johnny Politic weren't a Christian, then he would have no moral compass or ethical barometer.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "moral barometer", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being measured or assessed.

Common error

Avoid using "moral barometer" to directly label individuals as moral or immoral. Instead, use it to describe how their actions or decisions reflect broader ethical trends or principles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral barometer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to describe something that acts as an indicator or measure of moral values or ethical standards. It is used to assess the prevailing moral climate in a given context. The provided examples from Ludwig showcase its use in diverse fields, such as politics, culture, and personal behavior.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Books

18%

Science & Research

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Opinion

5%

Arts

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "moral barometer" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves as an indicator or measure of moral values, often employed to assess ethical climates within societies or groups. While versatile, it is best used to reflect broader ethical trends rather than to directly label individuals. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, maintaining a neutral register. Alternatives such as "ethical gauge" or "moral compass" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical gauge

Replaces "barometer" with "gauge", suggesting a more precise measurement of ethics.

moral compass

Uses "compass" to convey a sense of direction and guidance in moral decision-making.

ethical yardstick

Substitutes "barometer" with "yardstick", implying a standard for measuring ethical behavior.

moral standard

Focuses on the level of moral acceptance instead of the measurement tool.

ethical guideline

Emphasizes rules of conduct in place of direct measurement.

moral benchmark

Uses "benchmark" to imply a reference point for moral evaluation.

ethical touchstone

Highlights a fundamental principle for ethical decision-making.

moral compass point

Similar to 'moral compass' but explicitly states a position on a range of possible behaviours.

moral measure

Focuses on measurement aspect in moral conduct.

moral indicator

Highlights what signals or signs may highlight someone's ethics.

FAQs

How can I use "moral barometer" in a sentence?

You can use "moral barometer" to describe something that indicates the ethical standards or values of a person, group, or society. For example: "The community's response to the crisis served as a moral barometer, revealing their true values and priorities."

What can I say instead of "moral barometer"?

You can use alternatives like "ethical gauge", "moral compass", or "ethical yardstick" depending on the context.

Is "moral barometer" an accurate way to describe someone's ethics?

"Moral barometer" is best used to describe how actions or decisions reflect ethical trends, rather than directly labeling individuals as moral or immoral.

What's the difference between "moral compass" and "moral barometer"?

"Moral compass" implies a sense of internal direction, while "moral barometer" suggests an external measure or reflection of ethical values.