moral censure

USAGE SUMMARY

'moral censure' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe criticism based on moral standards and principles. For example, "The pastor delivered a sermon condemning the controversial behavior with moral censure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

In the second half of the twentieth century, worldwide attitudes toward whaling shifted from widespread acceptance to moral censure.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We live in harsh and unforgiving times and many families are struggling in a context of moral censure.

The Guardian

Simply proving that a transaction was legal within Nazi Germany shouldn't absolve the purchaser from moral censure.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the gap between those with few resources and those with many increases, so such expressions of need can attract moral censure.

The Guardian

And it ends when the same music became associated with AIDS, and was subject to moral censure rooted in racism and homophobia.

The New York Times

Invasion of privacy, moral censure and populist simplicity were established in the British press while Queen Victoria was on the throne.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Hurled at class enemies for decades after the 1949 Communist revolution, the phrase drips moral and political censure.

The New York Times

The non-summative understanding, then, considers collectives to be, like persons, apt targets for attributions of propositional attitudes, and potentially of moral and epistemic censure as well.

SEP

The advantage of disconnecting accountability from responsibility, according to Floridi and Sanders, is that it places the focus on moral agenthood, accountability and censure, instead of on figuring out which human agents are responsible.

SEP

John McCain has a moral obligation to publicly censure the Clarion Fund; to denounce the inflammatory, anti-Muslim message of Obsession; and to do everything in his power to stop any further campaign activities by his supporters that have the potential to incite violence.

HuffPost

With biting satire, he also censured the moral decay of the Western church.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moral censure" when you want to express a formal or serious disapproval based on deeply held ethical principles. It's appropriate in contexts where actions are seen as fundamentally wrong.

Common error

Avoid using "moral censure" when simply disagreeing with someone's opinion or preference. "Moral censure" implies a deeper ethical or principled objection, not just a difference in taste or viewpoint.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "moral censure" is as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and highlights its role in expressing criticism based on moral principles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moral censure" is a noun phrase used to express strong disapproval based on ethical or moral principles. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English, highlighting its function in criticizing actions deemed morally wrong. While the phrase is most common in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it can also appear in encyclopedias and formal business settings. Alternatives include "ethical condemnation" and "public disapproval". When using "moral censure", ensure the context involves a significant ethical breach, not just a simple disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral condemnation

Direct synonym, highlighting the act of condemning based on morals.

censure for immorality

Reverses the order to emphasize the immorality that leads to censure.

ethical condemnation

Emphasizes the ethical principles that are violated, similar to moral considerations.

ethical denunciation

Similar to 'ethical condemnation', but stresses a public declaration of wrongfulness.

moral rebuke

Implies a sharp expression of disapproval, with emphasis on moral failing.

social condemnation

Highlights the community's act of condemning, often based on moral considerations.

strong disapproval

Indicates significant disagreement and dislike, potentially due to moral reasons.

severe disapproval

Suggests a strong negative reaction, often due to serious ethical or moral concerns.

public disapproval

Focuses on the community's reaction, often implying moral reasons.

social stigma

Highlights the negative social impact of actions, closely related to moral judgment.

FAQs

How is "moral censure" typically used in a sentence?

You can use "moral censure" to describe the act of criticizing someone or something based on moral principles. For example, "The pastor delivered a sermon condemning the controversial behavior with "moral censure"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "moral censure"?

Alternatives include "ethical condemnation", "moral condemnation", or "public disapproval", each conveying a slightly different nuance of disapproval based on moral or ethical standards.

Is "moral censure" the same as "legal censure"?

No, "moral censure" refers to disapproval based on ethical principles, while "legal censure" is a formal reprimand or punishment within a legal system. They address different types of wrongdoing.

When is it appropriate to use "moral censure" in writing?

It's appropriate when the subject involves a serious violation of ethical or moral standards. Using "moral censure" indicates a strong, principled objection to the behavior or action in question, as opposed to a simple disagreement.