moral breakdown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral breakdown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where ethical standards or moral values deteriorate or collapse. Example: "The community experienced a moral breakdown after the scandal, leading to widespread distrust among its members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Many are caused by the moral breakdown in our society.

The New York Times

I think there's been a moral breakdown in this country — in politics, in government, in hoodlums".

The New Yorker

It was a natural reaction, said residents of this rural county peppered with churches, to such an alarming moral breakdown.

The Washington Post

On being sworn in this January, President Perez Molina warned that the country was close to economic and moral breakdown.

The Guardian

As the chart below shows, an election campaign dominated by the deficit, illegal immigration and "dealing with moral breakdown" decisively favors Republicans.

The New York Times

By fixing, by recording, by naming, she sought to establish a higher truth in a region shattered by conflict and moral breakdown.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Zigon [ 26] argues that moral breakdowns are significant ethical moments to consider when looking at issues of morality.

BMC Medical Education

As such, it has the potential to provoke moral breakdowns, or moments of reflexive questioning.

BMC Medical Education

It was during residents' discussions of their photos that most of the breakthroughs generated by moral breakdowns occurred.

BMC Medical Education

Rather, the emergence of utilitarian practical reasoning begins wherever our moral intuitions breakdown.

SEP

Tells of the Republican Party, and some of the reasons for its mental, moral and social breakdown.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "moral breakdown", provide specific examples to illustrate the decline in ethical standards or values you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "moral breakdown" as a vague criticism. Clearly define the specific moral principles that are being violated to make your argument more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral breakdown" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples show it describing a state or process of ethical decline.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moral breakdown" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes a decline in ethical standards or values. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, suggesting its relevance across various domains. While alternatives such as "ethical collapse" and "decline in morality" offer similar meanings, "moral breakdown" provides a direct and accessible way to discuss ethical deterioration. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific examples and avoid overgeneralization to ensure clear and persuasive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical collapse

Focuses more directly on the failure of ethical systems.

decline in morality

Highlights the gradual decrease in moral standards.

erosion of values

Emphasizes the gradual loss of important principles.

decay of ethics

Implies a rotting or corrupting of ethical principles.

moral decay

Similar to moral breakdown but can suggest a more gradual process.

collapse of ethics

Strongly suggests a sudden and complete failure of ethical standards.

ethical disintegration

Suggests a loss of cohesion and structure in ethical frameworks.

breakdown of values

Focuses on the loss of core values within a society or group.

moral corruption

Highlights the presence of dishonesty and unethical behavior.

loss of moral compass

Emphasizes a lack of direction and guidance in ethical decision-making.

FAQs

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

You can use "moral breakdown" to describe situations where ethical standards deteriorate. For instance, "The community experienced a "moral breakdown" after the scandal, leading to widespread distrust."

What are some alternatives to "moral breakdown"?

Alternatives include "ethical collapse", "decline in morality", or "erosion of values", each emphasizing different aspects of ethical deterioration.

What causes a "moral breakdown"?

A "moral breakdown" can be triggered by various factors, including economic instability, political corruption, and shifts in societal values. The root causes are complex and often interconnected.

Is "moral breakdown" the same as "moral decay"?

While similar, "moral decay" suggests a more gradual and insidious process, whereas ""moral breakdown"" can imply a more sudden or pronounced collapse of ethical standards.