cardinal virtue

noun

Definition of cardinal virtuenext
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

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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
  1. advantage
  2. distinction
  3. virtue
  4. value
  5. merit
Noun
  • The Democrat leads Republican challenger Mike Collins in every major public poll, holds a massive fundraising advantage and is now trying to peel away GOP voters.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called out his struggling club after a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday cost them a significant tiebreaker in the race for home-field advantage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • If consumers are inclined to believe a company behaved badly, the distinction between firing and non-renewal disappears.
    — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That distinction is what policy is for — and what the AI copyright debate still too often misses.
    — David Woodard, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • Today, young people are increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of politicians lecturing them about the virtues of voting while in practice facilitating disengagement.
    — David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Just as uniformity is a virtue of a product, so uniqueness is a virtue of a service.
    — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • The latter goal is in line with the growing African movement to reduce raw minerals exports in favor of local value addition.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit joins a broader debate on the value of wearable devices to track human health.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of value
Noun
  • Boparai has since issued a statement of his own, though without addressing the company's concerns nor the merits of the lawsuit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Whatever the merits of Fedorov’s arguments, the move potentially presents a fresh talking point to Putin, who has publicly and repeatedly cast doubt on Zelensky’s legitimacy as president.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of merit

Browse Nearby Words

cardinal
cardinal virtue
cardinal virtues
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Cite this Entry

“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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