moral collapse
Loss of principles
Moral collapse describes the breakdown or disintegration of ethical standards, principles, or values—whether in an individual, institution, or society.
It suggests not just moral failure but a comprehensive giving way, as when a structure falls in on itself: The scandal revealed the moral collapse at the heart of the organization.
The phrase often appears in discussions of civilizational decline or institutional corruption, implying that what once held firm has crumbled: Critics warned that tolerating corruption would lead to moral collapse.
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- depravityProfound moral corruption
- downfallSudden loss of power
- fall from graceLoss of status or reputation
degradation · slippery slope · ruin · sin · vice · selling out · decadence · dissolution · erosion · rot · shame · disgrace · scandal · betrayal · hypocrisy · wickedness · fall · perdition
- disgracedishonor, disgrace, downfall, stigma, scandal
- moral decaydegeneration, degradation, depravity, fall from grace, backsliding
- faith crisisfaith crisis, doubt, questioning faith, spiritual struggle, religious doubt
moral collapsemoral integrity
Consistent ethical character
moral rectitude · virtue · righteousness · probity · moral excellence
moral collapseredemption
Recovery or moral restoration
spiritual awakening · sanctification · repentance · atonement · conversion
moral, morals, morally, morality, moralist, moralistic, moralize, moralizing, immoral