morally odious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morally odious" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation or behavior that is considered to be morally wrong or repugnant. For example: “The politician’s attempt to gain favor with hateful rhetoric was morally odious.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Apartheid was intrinsically morally odious.

The New York Times

"Reasonable" as the second preference might seem, McKaiser concedes in his essay, it is still "morally odious", still "the product of our racist past".

The Guardian

Surrounded by cheering foes of abortion who gave the ceremony the air of a presidential pep rally, Mr. Bush engaged in the final act of a long fight to prohibit the procedure, described by its opponents as morally odious.

The New York Times

It was assumed, of course, that ours was an especially wicked society, and the whole notion of producing a durable art object, such as a painting or a sculpture, that would, if successful, take its place as a valued part of an established cultural tradition, was therefore rejected as a morally odious compromise with a corrupt and moribund system.

The New York Times

The information they sought from the utterly powerless detainees in their keep was a treasure to be extracted, like oil or diamonds from the bowels of the earth, and no technique was too inhumane, too morally odious, to achieve that end.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Something odious.

The New Yorker

Status yoga is odious!

The New York Times

Generalisations are odious.

The Economist

Comparisons are odious.

The New Yorker

It's odious.

The New York Times

Morally wrong".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "morally odious" to describe actions or situations that are not just disliked but are fundamentally wrong according to a moral code. It carries a stronger condemnation than simply saying something is 'bad'.

Common error

Avoid using "morally odious" in everyday conversation about minor inconveniences. It's a strong phrase best reserved for serious ethical breaches, not for describing something merely annoying or disagreeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally odious" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically to describe an action, belief, or situation that is deeply offensive or repugnant to moral principles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "morally odious" is an effective and grammatically correct way to express strong moral disapproval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can be used in written English to describe situations or behaviors that are deeply offensive to moral principles. While relatively rare in overall usage, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, reserve "morally odious" for scenarios where a serious ethical breach warrants a strong expression of condemnation. Alternatives such as "morally repugnant" or "morally reprehensible" may also be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally repugnant

Focuses on the feeling of disgust or aversion that the action or thing provokes.

morally reprehensible

Emphasizes the blameworthiness and condemnation of the action or behavior.

morally objectionable

Highlights that the action or thing is likely to cause objection on moral grounds.

morally abhorrent

Stresses the extreme revulsion and hatred that the action or thing inspires.

morally detestable

Indicates something that is intensely disliked and worthy of being hated from a moral perspective.

morally offensive

Highlights the upsetting or disturbing nature of the action or thing to moral sensibilities.

morally indefensible

Indicates that there's no justification for the action in moral terms.

ethically unacceptable

Shifts focus to ethical principles and standards, deeming the action not in line with them.

morally wrong

A more general term stating the action doesn't align with moral principles.

utterly immoral

Emphasizes a complete lack of moral principles.

FAQs

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

You can use "morally odious" to describe something that is deeply offensive to one's moral principles. For example, "The exploitation of child labor is a "morally odious" practice."

What phrases are similar to "morally odious"?

Alternatives to "morally odious" include "morally repugnant", "morally reprehensible", or "morally abhorrent". Each carries a strong sense of moral disapproval.

Is "morally odious" a formal expression?

Yes, "morally odious" is a formal expression. It is best used in serious discussions about ethics, politics, or social issues, and is less appropriate for casual conversation.

What is the difference between "morally odious" and "morally wrong"?

"Morally wrong" is a general term indicating something is against moral principles. "Morally odious" suggests a stronger level of disgust and revulsion, implying that something is not just wrong, but deeply offensive to one's moral sensibilities.