CARDINAL VIRTUE Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

cardinal virtue

noun

Definition of cardinal virtue

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cardinal virtue Tolerance became the cardinal virtue of modern liberalism, but tolerance cannot sustain a civilization. — Carolyn McKinney, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025 Courage, self-discipline, and AI The other two cardinal virtues (there are four in all) are courage and self-discipline. — 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal virtue

Noun

While Spain looks primed to defend their crown with a young core and home-field advantage, the race to lift the World Cup in 2030 has almost four years to now take shape.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 July 2026
With warm Southern weather stretching way beyond Labor Day, this is actually the perfect time to take advantage, with lots of days on the porch still left.

— Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 19 July 2026

Definition of advantage

Noun

For Tully Luxury Travel COO Steven Salm, that distinction became immediately clear during a recent voyage aboard EXPLORA I.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 July 2026
Chuck Elliott, the parents-group activist, says Carlson deserved the distinction entirely on her own.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of distinction

Noun

While productivity - how much economic value workers produce per hour - has continued to grow dramatically, wages at the bottom of the income ladder have not kept pace.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
If the bottom of the outside linebacker room is determined by special teams value, then Tyrus Wheat will have an opportunity to crack the initial roster.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026

Definition of value

Noun

In its statement, Paramount argued that the strategic retreat was the best way to get to a decision on the merits of the deal as soon as possible.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 July 2026
Moving to the merits While the temporary restraining order was originally set to expire after 14 days, the judge was likely to grant a preliminary injunction that would continue to block the merger while litigation continues.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Definition of merit

Browse Nearby Words

cardinal

cardinal virtue

cardinal virtues

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cardinal virtue

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

parochial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes