moral connotations

USAGE SUMMARY

"moral connotations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the implied ethical or moral implications of a word, phrase, or statement. Example: The use of certain words in the political campaign carried strong moral connotations and sparked a heated debate among voters.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Jade occupies a special place in Chinese artistic culture, valued as gold is in the West but hallowed with even loftier moral connotations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's a bold move, when the condom carries such negative religious and moral connotations among people in his country, making preventing the spread of infectious diseases – particularly HIV – difficult.

The Guardian

In Home, which brought her to the attention of film lovers, and now Sister (L'Enfant d'En Haut), the Franco-Swiss director Ursula Meier explores borders, and, by extension, as any western enthusiast will know, their political and moral connotations.

The Guardian

The terms "refugee" and "asylum seeker" may denote different things (crudely put, an asylum seeker only becomes a refugee when some or other official agency decides as such), but it's telling that the R word, with all its moral connotations, has all but disappeared from our national vocabulary.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the term undeniably has moral connotations as well.

SEP

However, the central meaning of the term "corruption" carries strong moral connotations; to describe someone as a corrupt person, or an action as corrupt, is to ascribe a moral deficiency and to express moral disapproval.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Evil" doesn't have a moral connotation in cyberland but indicates something "sufficiently mal-designed as to be not worth the bother of dealing with".

The New York Times - Arts

In other words, what some might paint as a "rejection" of marriage, and the moral connotation that comes with that interpretation, is more accurately a far more practical problem.

The New York Times

Indeed, as Graham (1989) observes, their low social origins help to explain why the Mohists make no use of the paradigmatic moral contrast of Confucian ethics, that between the junzi and xiao ren, terms that in Confucian usage carried a moral connotation ("noble man" vs. "petty man") but originally referred to social rank ("princeling" or "gentleman" vs. "commoner").

SEP

It occurs several times in the Shatapatha Brahmana in the sense of "non-injury" without a moral connotation.

Wikipedia

2. Confirm that he is consciously making a "firm promise" (and I use the words "firm promise" rather than commitment because of their personal and moral connotation) to deliver what you've asked at the time you've asked.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics, be mindful of the "moral connotations" of your language. Choose words that accurately reflect your intended meaning without unintentionally introducing bias or judgment.

Common error

Avoid using phrases with strong "moral connotations" when a neutral description is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the immoral act of...", consider a more objective phrasing like "the controversial action of..." to maintain impartiality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral connotations" functions as a noun phrase, specifically serving as the object of a preposition or a direct object of a verb. It describes the implied moral or ethical implications of something, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "moral connotations" refers to the implied ethical or moral implications of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a formal and analytical register. When writing, awareness of these "moral connotations" is crucial to avoid unintended biases and to promote ethical communication. Consider alternatives such as "ethical implications" or "moral considerations" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral implications

Highlights the implications specifically related to morality.

ethical implications

Focuses on the ethical aspect rather than general moral considerations.

moral considerations

Highlights the considerations specifically related to morality.

ethical considerations

Emphasizes the need to think about the ethical aspect.

moral dimensions

Focuses on the dimensions of a situation relevant to morality.

ethical dimensions

Focuses on the dimensions of a situation relevant to ethics.

value judgments

Indicates the subjective assessments based on a person's values.

normative implications

Relates to societal norms and standards of behavior.

moral weight

Emphasizes the significance and seriousness of moral considerations.

value-laden aspects

Highlights how certain aspects are heavily influenced by values.

FAQs

How do "moral connotations" affect communication?

The "moral connotations" of words can significantly influence how your message is received. Choosing words carefully helps ensure your audience understands your intent without unintended judgment or bias.

What are some alternatives to using phrases with "moral connotations"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "ethical implications", "ethical considerations", or "value judgments" to convey similar meanings with potentially less loaded language.

How can I identify the "moral connotations" of a word?

Consider the typical associations and emotional responses a word evokes. Dictionaries and thesauruses can provide insights, but also think about how the word is commonly used in different contexts and by different groups.

Why is it important to be aware of "moral connotations" in writing?

Being aware of "moral connotations" helps ensure clarity, avoids unintentional offense, and promotes ethical communication. It allows you to convey your message effectively while respecting diverse perspectives and values.