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 This farm-to-table approach creates a virtuous cycle in the local economy. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Apr. 2025 Since referrals are the top way small firms gain new business, this enhanced service generates more, creating a virtuous growth cycle. —Hunter Steele, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 This virtuous cycle where the success of French cinema directly fuels new productions at every stage, makes France an attractive partner for producers worldwide looking to finance ambitious documentary projects. —Lise Pedersen, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025 The results have been startling and that over-performance is described by the many players who have been part of it — who typically arrived unknown and undervalued, and departed for big sums that kept the virtuous cycle spinning forward. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Apr. 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
  • After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Quang enjoyed a successful pharmaceutical sales stint as a top producer for Astra/Merck and then Genentech.
    — Quang X. Pham, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Instead, most of Bernadette’s assumptions — that working the border is an honorable act, or that a federal position will imbue her with more authority, or that all Native people will have the same opinions and the same goals — are upended over the course of the season.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • Ever-committed to ethical leadership, sustainable growth, and responsible business practices, Mr. Jitjanuruk imparts these goals on the next generation of financial leaders and the modern fintech industry.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • This aligns with industry guidance: Gartner researchers predict the rise of specialized AI governance platforms to manage each system’s legal, ethical and operational compliance.
    — Ashutosh Synghal, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • The African American mom, who is married to Polish Canadian Peter Gerber, told Newsweek that their approach to parenting is honest and intentional.
    — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
  • Log in Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
    — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • From the outside, Lyons’s house is a textbook Baltimore row home with a modest porch made for relaxing on a nice day or having a smoke while you people-watch.
    — Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
  • Wilson completed a pass to Dee Eskridge, who made a nice one-handed catch with cornerback Kendall Sheffield in coverage.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The young man is at a crossroads between pursuing shallow, glitzy easy money, or being true to his emotional and artistic muses.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 27 May 2025
Definition of true
Adjective
  • The film topped Entertainment Weekly's 2022 list of Tom Cruise-starring projects ranked by grade, and came in just behind Born on the Fourth of July as containing Cruise's all-time best screen performance.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 May 2025
  • Here are 5 of the best Our best wishes on a safe start to the day.
    — Quartz Staff, Quartz, 19 May 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Kehlmann exercises the same liberties as Doctorow, yet what holds his fictional whirlwind together is not sensation but an appalling portrait of Europe in a state of emotional and moral disintegration.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
  • Judges sometimes make decisions that are objectionable from a moral and legal standpoint.
    — Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 23 May 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 2 Jun. 2025.

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