English Meaning & Definitions
An overriding principle or duty that dictates a specific course of action based on ethical or moral considerations, regardless of the consequences.
- “He felt a moral imperative to speak out against the injustice, even though it put his career at risk.”
- “Providing clean water to the refugees is not just a policy choice; it is a moral imperative.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “moral imperative”.
The term derives from the Latin 'moralis' (relating to custom or character) and 'imperativus' (commanding). It was popularized by the 18th-century philosopher Immanuel Kant, who defined the 'categorical imperative' as an unconditional moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances, regardless of personal desires or consequences.
Think of a 'moral' (right thing to do) that acts as an 'imperative' (an urgent command you cannot ignore).
Frequently Asked Questions About “moral imperative”
1. What is the meaning of “moral imperative” in English?
In English, moral imperative (noun) is defined as: “An overriding principle or duty that dictates a specific course of action based on ethical or moral considerations, regardless of the consequences.”.
2. How do you use “moral imperative” in a sentence?
“He felt a moral imperative to speak out against the injustice, even though it put his career at risk.”
3. What are English synonyms of “moral imperative”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “moral imperative”?
The term derives from the Latin 'moralis' (relating to custom or character) and 'imperativus' (commanding). It was popularized by the 18th-century philosopher Immanuel Kant, who defined the 'categorical imperative' as an unconditional moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances, regardless of personal desires or consequences.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.