as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth
the cardinal virtue of wool is that it retains its insulating properties even when wet
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Recent Examples of cardinal virtue
Tolerance became the cardinal virtue of modern liberalism, but tolerance cannot sustain a civilization.
—
Carolyn McKinney, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Practical wisdom, justice, and AI The cardinal virtues of practical wisdom and justice are the habits for deciding, fairly, what needs to be done.
—Andrew Abela, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Aquinas also noted that each of these four cardinal virtues had several smaller virtues associated with them.
—Andrew Abela, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Doubt is a cardinal virtue in the sciences, which advance through skeptics’ willingness to question the experts.
—Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2020
Breaching tennis’ cardinal virtues of self-sufficiency and autonomy, the coach begins by telling this emotional woman to calm down.
—Jon Wertheim, SI.com, 11 Apr. 2018
Dialogue is one of their cardinal virtues, and most seemed determined to give Trump a hearing.
—Time, 25 Jan. 2018
Carolyn McKinney, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Practical wisdom, justice, and AI The cardinal virtues of practical wisdom and justice are the habits for deciding, fairly, what needs to be done.
—Andrew Abela, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Aquinas also noted that each of these four cardinal virtues had several smaller virtues associated with them.
—Andrew Abela, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Doubt is a cardinal virtue in the sciences, which advance through skeptics’ willingness to question the experts.
—Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2020
Breaching tennis’ cardinal virtues of self-sufficiency and autonomy, the coach begins by telling this emotional woman to calm down.
—Jon Wertheim, SI.com, 11 Apr. 2018
Dialogue is one of their cardinal virtues, and most seemed determined to give Trump a hearing.
—Time, 25 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal virtue
Noun
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The first half was scoreless with Sacramento holding 60% of possession while Tulsa had a 9-3 shot advantage.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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Ole Miss jumped out to a 23-2 lead over the Commodores and held a 32-point advantage at the halftime break.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Just this month, England’s Northern Ballet premiered Gentleman Jack, which has the extremely rare distinction of being full-length ballet with a lesbian protagonist.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That distinction belongs to a 2003 Ferrari Enzo.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There is nuance in weighing the virtues of an ends-justify-the-means approach.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
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By contrast, German football’s virtues are its proud regional traditions, its fan culture, and the vibrancy of its atmosphere, none of which are quite as simple to export.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 Certain purchases will support your values more than others at the moment.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Build steady value with consistent attention.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Clintons were subpoenaed to appear under oath in front of the committee for a deposition in January, but failed to comply, arguing the subpoenas were without legal merit.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Each one needs to be evaluated based on its merits.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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