morally acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morally acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe actions, behaviors, or decisions that align with ethical standards or principles. Example: "The committee debated whether the proposed policy was morally acceptable in light of the community's values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Is colonisation now morally acceptable?

The Guardian

More specifically, blacks overwhelmingly say that homosexuality isn't morally acceptable.

The New York Times

Anyone really think that is morally acceptable, economically acceptable?

The Guardian

Homosexuality is morally acceptable, but not for scientific reasons.

The Guardian

Britain is a country where doping is not morally acceptable.

The Guardian - Sport

Nearly half also say that gay relationships are morally acceptable.

The New York Times

Sex between nonmarried straights was considered morally acceptable by 57percentt of those polled.

The New York Times

Asked whether homosexuality was morally acceptable, 56% of respondents answered Yes.

The Economist

Just because something is natural doesn't mean that it is morally acceptable.

The New York Times

It is not morally acceptable to do evil hoping that good may eventually result from it.

The New York Times

"To the extent that this became morally acceptable, that would break down neighborhoods".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethical dilemmas, use "morally acceptable" to denote actions that align with established principles or societal norms, but be mindful of the potential for subjective interpretations.

Common error

Avoid assuming that if something is legal, it is automatically "morally acceptable". Legality and morality are distinct concepts, and an action can be legal yet still raise ethical concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally acceptable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something aligns with ethical or moral standards. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in assessing the ethical implications of actions and decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "morally acceptable" is a frequently used adjective phrase employed to describe actions, behaviors, or decisions that align with ethical principles. As the Ludwig AI analysis suggests, it plays a significant role in discussions across news media, scientific discourse, and encyclopedic entries, often in a neutral and evaluative manner. While grammatically correct, it's important to differentiate its meaning from related concepts like "socially acceptable" and to avoid conflating legality with moral rectitude. Considering alternatives such as "ethically permissible" or "morally permissible" can provide nuanced expressions of moral alignment in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethically permissible

Emphasizes adherence to a specific code of ethics, often within a professional or institutional context.

morally permissible

Focuses on the permissibility of an action according to moral principles.

ethically sound

Highlights the integrity and robustness of an action from an ethical standpoint.

morally justifiable

Suggests that there are valid reasons or arguments to support the moral correctness of something.

conscionable

Implies that an action is in accordance with one's conscience and moral beliefs.

consistent with moral principles

Highlights the alignment of an action or decision with established ethical guidelines.

in accordance with ethical standards

Focuses on compliance with specific ethical benchmarks or norms.

within ethical boundaries

Indicates that an action remains within the limits of what is considered ethical.

not morally objectionable

Suggests that an action does not provoke significant moral disapproval, implying a lower threshold than "acceptable".

ethically defensible

Implies the action can be justified using ethical reasoning, even if not universally embraced.

FAQs

How can I use "morally acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "morally acceptable" to describe actions, behaviors, or decisions that align with ethical standards or principles. For example, "The committee debated whether the proposed policy was "morally acceptable" in light of the community's values."

What are some alternatives to "morally acceptable"?

You can use alternatives like "ethically permissible", "morally permissible", or "ethically sound" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "morally acceptable" and "socially acceptable"?

"Morally acceptable" refers to alignment with ethical principles, while "socially acceptable" refers to whether an action is approved by societal norms. Something can be socially acceptable but not "morally acceptable", and vice versa.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "morally acceptable"?

Use "morally acceptable" when you want to express that something aligns with your or a group's ethical beliefs. It's often used in discussions of ethical dilemmas, policy-making, and personal conduct.