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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

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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
  • To weaponize this advantage, the 30 clubs have withheld roughly $75 million each in central-fund distributions, amassing a $2 billion liquidity holdback.
    — Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • SpaceX has advantage its rivals can’t easily match Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • Upon completion, Ryan Field will have the dual distinction of being the most expensive and the smallest stadium, by seating capacity, in all of big-time college football.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • How a blood pressure wearable actually works Not every device on your wrist does the same thing, and for anyone weighing a switch from an arm cuff, the distinctions are critical.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • Though there are multiple interpretations of sharia, its essence is to serve as a code for how Muslims should live and worship — covering such matters as prayer, pilgrimages, fasting, charitable donations and personal virtue.
    — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Baek Ki-hyeon aspired to walk a path of virtue and provide for their sister through honest means — but his calculating spymaster big brother was never going to let them out of his grasp.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • In response, retailers are adjusting their marketing approaches to target the value-conscious early holiday shopper as opposed to expecting to capture the consumer during a few peak shopping days throughout the holiday season.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The exact terms of the PWHL’s loan, including the value of the league’s intellectual property, were not disclosed in the documents.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of value
Noun
  • Raises were paused at the university in favor of $6,500 merit bonuses for some employees and the university has been offering all employees with more than three years experience, faculty included, buyouts for weeks.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Now companies would nominally have to compete on the merits for government contracts.
    — William Turton, ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of merit

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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 29 Sep. 2026.

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