violation of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "violation of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing moral or ethical dilemmas where someone's beliefs or values are compromised. Example: "The new policy was seen by many as a violation of conscience, forcing employees to act against their personal beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is a violation of conscience".

The New York Times

Mitt Romney, the likely Republican presidential nominee, joined the chorus this week, calling the regulation "a violation of conscience".

The New York Times

But she said she saw it in broader terms, as "a violation of conscience, a fundamental assault on First Amendment rights".

The New York Times

To that end, bishops around the country are planning media campaigns, including radio and television advertisements, to denounce what they call a violation of conscience and the First Amendment.

The New York Times

Many Catholics agreed that this was a case of violation of conscience and protested.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This process might seem unimportant to nonbelievers but, reported the authors, "the violation of conscience--the spiritual rape--involved in a conversion through force works a state of mental and spiritual unrest that is difficult to put into words".

Huffington Post

The bishops called the rule an affront to religious liberty and a violation of Catholic conscience.

The New York Times

President Bush is responding to concerns of a group of 55 congressmen led by Christopher Smith, a New Jersey Republican; they complained in a letter to the White House that the fund's program in China "supports coercive abortion and sterilization and therefore is in violation of our conscience and our law".

The New York Times

Prosblogion posts a few remarks on what constitutes the violation of freedom of conscience.

The New York Times

But the Reformers had become so powerful that Gaspard de Coligny, their most famous leader, protested in their name at the assembly of notables at Fontainebleau (August 1560) against all violation of the liberty of conscience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But an exemption from property and other taxes is not a violation of the taxpayers' freedom of conscience or an abrogation of the first-amendment's establishment clause.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that when you use the phrase, the context clearly indicates that a deeply held moral or ethical belief is being compromised, not just a preference or opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "violation of conscience" to describe disagreements or inconveniences that do not involve genuine moral or ethical conflicts. Misusing the term dilutes its impact and can trivialize genuine ethical violations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "violation of conscience" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is often found in the context of moral or ethical dilemmas, representing a contravention of someone's deeply held beliefs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Formal & Business

16.66%

Encyclopedias

8.33%

Less common in

Wiki

8.33%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "violation of conscience" is a grammatically correct and usable term, primarily functioning as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's deployed to express disapproval of actions conflicting with deeply held moral beliefs. Found most frequently in news and media contexts, with some usage in formal business and encyclopedic entries, it carries a neutral to formal register. When writing, be mindful of its intended use; it should address authentic ethical dilemmas, and not be overused in situations where moral principles are not truly at stake. Considering related terms such as "breach of moral code" can refine your phrasing for specific ethical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting against one's principles

Emphasizes the conflict between one's actions and their stated principles.

compromising one's beliefs

Focuses on the act of sacrificing or weakening one's convictions.

disregard for inner convictions

Centers on ignoring or dismissing one's deeply felt beliefs and values.

betrayal of personal ethics

Highlights the act of going against one's own ethical standards and beliefs.

infringement of moral principles

Highlights the act of undermining or limiting someone's deeply held moral values.

moral transgression

Focuses on the act of crossing a moral boundary or violating a moral law.

breach of moral code

Focuses on the transgression of a set of moral rules rather than personal beliefs.

assault on ethical standards

Emphasizes the attack on established ethical norms and societal expectations.

negation of moral integrity

Highlights the denial or absence of strong moral principles and honesty.

defilement of ethical sense

Centers on corrupting or polluting one's moral judgment and ethical understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "violation of conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "violation of conscience" to describe situations where someone is forced to act against their deeply held moral or ethical beliefs. For example, "The new policy was seen as a "violation of conscience" by many employees.".

What are some synonyms for "violation of conscience"?

Alternatives to "violation of conscience" include "breach of moral code", "infringement of moral principles", or "acting against one's principles", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "violation of conscience" and "attack of conscience"?

"Violation of conscience" refers to an external action that forces someone to compromise their beliefs, while "attack of conscience" describes an internal feeling of guilt or remorse.

When is it appropriate to use the term "violation of conscience"?

It is appropriate to use "violation of conscience" when discussing issues related to religious freedom, ethical dilemmas, and situations where individuals are forced to act against their deeply held moral or ethical beliefs. Avoid using it for minor disagreements or inconveniences.