conscience
noun
con·science
ˈkän(t)-shən(t)s 
1
a
: the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good
She had a guilty conscience.
b
: a faculty, power, or principle enjoining good acts
guided by conscience
c
: the part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego
2
: conformity to what one considers to be correct, right, or morally good : conscientiousness
3
: sensitive regard for fairness or justice : scruple
a wealthy man with no conscience
4
archaic
: consciousness
Examples of conscience in a Sentence
… it is a politician's natural instinct to avoid taking any stand that seems controversial unless and until the voters demand it or conscience absolutely requires it.
—
Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006
We like to imagine literature as the still, small voice of human conscience. It is that only rarely, however. Actively and passively, it has always borne along pernicious ideas.
—Marilynne Robinson, New York Times Book Review, 15 Mar. 1987
So she had lied to him, but so had he to her, they were quits on that score and his conscience was calm.
—Bernard Malamud, The Magic Barrel, (1950) 1958
The rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples, no consideration, no decency …
—E. B. White, Charlotte's Web, 1952
The thief must have had an attack of conscience, because he returned the wallet with nothing missing from it.
Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006
We like to imagine literature as the still, small voice of human conscience. It is that only rarely, however. Actively and passively, it has always borne along pernicious ideas.
—Marilynne Robinson, New York Times Book Review, 15 Mar. 1987
So she had lied to him, but so had he to her, they were quits on that score and his conscience was calm.
—Bernard Malamud, The Magic Barrel, (1950) 1958
The rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples, no consideration, no decency …
—E. B. White, Charlotte's Web, 1952
The thief must have had an attack of conscience, because he returned the wallet with nothing missing from it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoom out: The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award is presented annually to public servants for making a courageous decision of conscience without regard for the personal or professional consequences.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
Arendt observes that what was special about those who refused to collaborate with the Nazis wasn’t that classic rules about right and wrong were firmly established in their conscience, but that their conscience didn’t work by automatically applying any pre-learned rules.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 2 Apr. 2025
Through so many years, so many stories, D.W. was our teacher and conscience, able to translate even vague ideas into unforgettably sharp images—and often providing just the right cover line as well.
—Sam Jacobs, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
Jewish life—including, but hardly limited to, the perpetuation and thriving of the modern State of Israel—is thus an incessant nagging weight on the World's collective moral conscience.
—Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conscience
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Russell Contreras, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
Arendt observes that what was special about those who refused to collaborate with the Nazis wasn’t that classic rules about right and wrong were firmly established in their conscience, but that their conscience didn’t work by automatically applying any pre-learned rules.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 2 Apr. 2025
Through so many years, so many stories, D.W. was our teacher and conscience, able to translate even vague ideas into unforgettably sharp images—and often providing just the right cover line as well.
—Sam Jacobs, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
Jewish life—including, but hardly limited to, the perpetuation and thriving of the modern State of Israel—is thus an incessant nagging weight on the World's collective moral conscience.
—Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conscience
Cite this Entry
“Conscience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscience. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
conscience
noun
con·science
ˈkän-chən(t)s
: knowledge of right and wrong and a feeling one should do what is right
Medical Definition
conscience
noun
con·science
ˈkän-chən(t)s
: the part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego
Legal Definition
conscience
adjective
con·science
: exempting persons whose religious beliefs forbid compliance
conscience laws, which allow physicians…to refuse to participate in abortions—W. J. Curran
W. J. CurranLove words? Need even more definitions?
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