What does "moral imperative" mean?

A practice, policy, or state of affairs which is required and justified by the fact that it is morally right.

What is a synonym for "moral imperative"?

Common synonyms include: beneficence, ethical urgency, moral obligation, moral urgency.

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
A practice, policy, or state of affairs which is required and justified by the fact that it is morally right.
"This 60-second commercial, titled The Deficit Trials: 2017 A.D., . . . "expresses a view that budget cuts are a moral imperative.""
2
An ethical principle or rule which requires and justifies a practice, policy, or state of affairs.
". . . the Confucian custom of filial piety. This moral imperative requires sons to obey their parents and take care of them during old age."

"This 60-second commercial, titled The Deficit Trials: 2017 A.D., . . . "expresses a view that budget cuts are a moral imperative.""