moral turmoil

USAGE SUMMARY

"moral turmoil" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a difficult situation caused by conflicting beliefs and understandings. For example, "John found himself in moral turmoil when his religious beliefs clashed with his desire to do what was best for his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The heresy spread, and France was soon in moral turmoil.

The New Yorker

Sociologists say that Orthodoxy's strict traditionalists have benefited from charismatic leadership, a high birthrate and anxiety among many Orthodox Jews over signs of moral turmoil in society.

The New York Times

The implication was clear: anyone not sufficiently engaged in the moral turmoil of the 60's was unfit to lead America today.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Both sides is no side," Faysal lectures Chloe, but his student has so little personality — she's a wide-eyed, weary cipher — that her moral turmoil is not only weightless but completely invisible.

The New York Times

The Rev. Gordon R. Grimm, a Lutheran pastor who is vice chairman of the Hazelden Institute, the Minnesota-based substance abuse treatment center, said the burden of keeping certain confidences was considerable and had provoked moral turmoil among counselors.

The New York Times

Fassbinder continued to produce film after film until his death in 1982; arguably his masterpiece was 1979's The Marriage of Maria Braun, which suggest the moral turmoil of the 70s had its roots in the breakdown of the social fabric after the war.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Republished to coincide with the new BBC adaptation, the novel presents a startling vision of a paradise lost, of a social and moral order in turmoil, with the war as merely a symptom of a wider, chronic malaise.

The Guardian - Books

It is an ethical and political masterpiece intended for the ruling class, with concrete strategic suggestions aimed at remedying the moral and political turmoil engulfing late Zhou China.

SEP

Instead, characters in most of their films grapple with a moral challenge or personal turmoil, as was the case with John Forbes Nash Jr. in "A Beautiful Mind".

The New York Times

When I read Daniel Martin 25 years ago, I was well placed to judge his rendering of the moral dilemma and emotional turmoil, though not to the extent of "wife's sister", which I'd suggest is a no-go zone.

The Guardian - Books

He simply depicted as honestly as possible the conditions these particular men fought in, the turmoil and moral challenges they faced, the physical and psychic damage, the triumphs and tragedies and the price paid by their families back home.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moral turmoil" to describe situations where individuals or societies face significant ethical challenges or internal conflicts regarding right and wrong.

Common error

Avoid using "moral turmoil" to describe situations where there is merely a difference of opinion. This phrase implies a deeper, more unsettling internal or societal conflict related to fundamental beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral turmoil" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a state of profound internal conflict or disturbance related to ethical or moral principles. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it often describes personal or societal struggles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moral turmoil" is a noun phrase used to describe significant internal or societal conflict arising from ethical dilemmas. Ludwig's analysis of various sources confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies it as being most frequently used in news and media contexts. While not exceptionally common, it effectively conveys the intensity and complexity of moral struggles. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a profound conflict of values, rather than a simple disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, "moral turmoil" is indeed correct and usable in written English to portray a difficult situation caused by conflicting beliefs and understandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral struggle

Underscores the effort and difficulty involved in navigating moral issues.

moral conflict

Emphasizes the clash between competing moral values.

crisis of conscience

Points to a personal struggle with one's moral compass.

ethical dilemma

Focuses specifically on situations involving conflicting moral principles.

moral perplexity

Implies a state of confusion and uncertainty regarding moral choices.

ethical quandary

Highlights a difficult and perplexing ethical problem.

ethical crisis

Highlights a critical situation involving ethics.

moral unease

Conveys a feeling of discomfort or anxiety about a moral issue.

moral questioning

Implies a period of intense self-reflection and reevaluation of one's beliefs.

inner conflict

Describes a general state of internal psychological struggle which can be related to moral principles.

FAQs

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

You can use "moral turmoil" to describe a state of inner conflict or societal unrest caused by ethical dilemmas. For example: "The character experienced intense "moral turmoil" when forced to choose between loyalty and justice".

What's a good alternative for "moral turmoil"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ethical dilemma", "crisis of conscience", or "moral struggle" as alternatives to "moral turmoil".

Is "moral turmoil" the same as "emotional turmoil"?

While both describe states of distress, "moral turmoil" specifically relates to conflicts about right and wrong, while "emotional turmoil" refers to a broader range of distressing emotional experiences.

Can "moral turmoil" apply to a society as well as an individual?

Yes, "moral turmoil" can describe societal unrest when a community faces widespread ethical disagreements or challenges to its values. For instance, a country grappling with controversial legislation might experience "moral turmoil".