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

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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

That kept the sales momentum rolling, but at the loss of the Neo’s financial advantages.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Chelsea failed to qualify for a European competition, but Gittens believes the extra chance to rest and prepare could be an advantage.

— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of advantage

Noun

This of course gives the Charger the unenviable distinction of being a vehicle that is both statistically more dangerous to be inside in the event of a crash, as well as increasing the chances of another driver dying whenever one is involved.

— Adam Ismail, The Drive, 30 July 2026
The distinction is important for the development of useful quantum computers.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026

Definition of distinction

Noun

Gilchrest’s beef – dressed up as a virtue – is that so few people have contributed anything to her.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
This famed chemist had previously extolled the virtues of fertilizer as the answer to soil exhaustion, so his sudden reversal on the issue left a lasting impression on his contemporaries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of virtue

Noun

In the 1960s, the previous owner reached an agreement with Peninsula Open Space Trust, a nonprofit, with the intent of protecting the property's recreational and agricultural value.

— Sooji Nam, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
The company has developed partnerships with Equinox, Lifetime, Barry’s Bootcamp, F45 and even the Delta One lounge at JFK to make structured recovery a customer value add.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of value

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“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cardinal virtue

noun

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