moral force
3
6.3
- noun
- /ˈmɔrəl fɔrs/
:
fuerza moral
- Many believe that promoting equality is a moral force that drives social progress.
Well, they had no moral force whatsoever.
- Well, they had no moral force whatsoever.
- They've they've created a moral force shield for their ideas and for their way of life and for their set up.
- And I would argue that that has a certain bankrupt moral force that is just assumed to be dominant but really can't drive people isn't interesting.
Examples
-
Still, Rawls's thought experiment retains a powerful moral force and continues to inspire liberals.
Academic text (2011) -
But if women are a moral force, shouldn't they have the right to govern, preach, and testify in court?
-
I want the moral force of international opinion brought to bear on the British government.
-
Well, then, what is the moral force of actual contracts?
-
Use your great moral force on my behalf.
-
Yet the convention's real power was its moral force.
Academic text (2008) -
If music means something, it is an artistic medium with moral force.
Academic text (1995) -
Similarly, the civil rights movement began as a moral force against institutionalized racism.
Blog text (12) -
There are several considerations that give additional moral force to those treaties that recognize extensive Indian land rights.
Academic text (2005) -
By employing moral force and suasion, Paraguay's Catholic Church helped to de-legitimize the Stroessner regime, contributing to its demise.
Academic text (1990)
Synonyms
5
4.9
A feeling of guilt that makes you try not to do something wrong
A reason for doing something because you think it is right
Antonyms
How Influential
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the influence of ethical principles' is directly derivable from combining 'moral' (ethical) with 'force' (a source of influence). This straightforward compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Moral force comes from the simple image of beliefs acting like a quiet push: moral means right values and force means a push that moves people. So, moral force means the 'influence' or power of those values to make people act.