Library / English Dictionary

MORALLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

With respect to moral principles

Example:

morally unjustified

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a moral manner

Example:

he acted morally under the circumstances

Synonyms:

morally; virtuously

Classified under:

Adverbs

Antonym:

immorally (without regard for morality)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Were I not morally certain that your uncle will be dead ere you reach Madeira, I would advise you to accompany Mr. Mason back; but as it is, I think you had better remain in England till you can hear further, either from or of Mr. Eyre.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I don't think the Parian Psyche Laurie gave lost any of its beauty because John put up the bracket it stood upon, that any upholsterer could have draped the plain muslin curtains more gracefully than Amy's artistic hand, or that any store-room was ever better provided with good wishes, merry words, and happy hopes than that in which Jo and her mother put away Meg's few boxes, barrels, and bundles, and I am morally certain that the spandy new kitchen never could have looked so cozy and neat if Hannah had not arranged every pot and pan a dozen times over, and laid the fire all ready for lighting the minute 'Mis. Brooke came home'.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

That these meshes; beginning with alarming and falsified accounts of the estate of which Mr. W. is the receiver, at a period when Mr. W. had launched into imprudent and ill-judged speculations, and may not have had the money, for which he was morally and legally responsible, in hand; going on with pretended borrowings of money at enormous interest, really coming from—HEEP—and by—HEEP—fraudulently obtained or withheld from Mr. W. himself, on pretence of such speculations or otherwise; perpetuated by a miscellaneous catalogue of unscrupulous chicaneries—gradually thickened, until the unhappy Mr. W. could see no world beyond.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I must take the view, your Grace, that when a man embarks upon a crime, he is morally guilty of any other crime which may spring from it.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Yes,” I said, “it is morally justifiable so long as our object is to take no articles save those which are used for an illegal purpose.”

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Morally, Mr. Holmes.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)