virtuous

adjective

ˈvər-chə-wəs How to pronounce virtuous (audio)
Definition of virtuousnext
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue virtuous behavior is its own reward

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective virtuous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of virtuous are ethical, moral, noble, and righteous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

In what contexts can ethical take the place of virtuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to virtuous, ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When could moral be used to replace virtuous?

While the synonyms moral and virtuous are close in meaning, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When can noble be used instead of virtuous?

In some situations, the words noble and virtuous are roughly equivalent. However, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Where would righteous be a reasonable alternative to virtuous?

Although the words righteous and virtuous have much in common, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of virtuous In my opinion, looking into the healthcare space, business leaders should nurture a virtuous cycle where their innovative product drives sales and the sales team provides the insights needed to refine and expand the product’s capabilities. —Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 In a November call, Iger also highlighted the virtuous cycle of Disney. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025 By embracing this new approach, startups have been able to create a virtuous cycle of trust and growth around their company’s product and branding—effectively driving inbound sales through outbound interactions. —Danylo Borodchuk, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 What quickly followed was a virtuous cycle of surging output, investment, real credit growth, and confidence. —Guy Petcho, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for virtuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtuous
  1. honorable
  2. ethical
  3. honest
  4. nice
  5. true
  6. good
  7. moral
Adjective
  • Nelson provided a copy of his honorable discharge, which was issued in 2011 and related to a previous term of service.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025
  • For Dan Hurley, UConn men, a painful, but honorable end to their historic era Dom Amore: For Dan Hurley, UConn men, a painful, but honorable end to their historic era Dom Amore’s Sunday Read: Will coaching carousel finally snag Dan Hurley’s assistants?
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • The American Journal of Transplantation study found that China is likely violating the dead donor rule, an ethical norm which requires all organ donors to be dead before their organs are harvested.
    — Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
  • So, if insects can feel pain, as most Americans believe, then there is an ethical reason to protect their welfare.
    — Bob Fischer, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • This accountability between sustainability initiatives and resilience among uncertainty is sparking more honest conversations, leading to more realistic goal setting and, ultimately, more meaningful progress.
    — Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The album is raw, honest, and deeply personal—a sonic letter to women and their stories, both told and untold.
    — Nour Ezzedine, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • That seems off: Frank Beamer was the nice coach, who never seemed to get in people’s faces.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Oatmeal bath: Soaking in a cool bath that contains colloidal oatmeal, which has anti-inflammatory properties, can also feel nice, Dr. Miller says.
    — Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • That may be true, but the IEA reports that sales actually continued to grow in the U.S. at greater than a 10% clip.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Voters are not famous for their patience or, as Joe Biden could explain, their fondness for higher prices, something that’s true even if this is a one-off adjustment.
    — The Editors, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of true
Adjective
  • On the bright side, healthy lifestyle choices, such as a good diet and regular exercise, offer even greater heart health protection for women.
    — Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Any good headphones already do this to a certain extent.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Company executives often frame the technology not just as a moral good, but a moral imperative—a way for humans, who have driven so many species to the brink of extinction, to get square with nature.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
  • While Democratic lawmakers such as Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Tom Suozzi, Congressman Seth Moulton, and Senator Chris Murphy are urging their party to at least defer to the states on the issue, they’re motivated by political urgency, not a moral commitment to truth.
    — Caroline Downey, National Review, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of moral

Browse Nearby Words

virtuosos
virtuous
virtuously
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Cite this Entry

“Virtuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtuous. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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