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

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
  1. advantage
  2. distinction
  3. virtue
  4. value
  5. merit
Noun
  • Sunday was their highest-scoring opening frame of the season, and their 29-15 lead was their best opening advantage since a 25-10 lead against the Sparks on June 15.
    — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • When jobs change quickly, the ability to learn, adjust, and respond gives you an advantage.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • There is an important distinction between making cement less polluting and actually removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Schore makes a similar distinction when discussing workplace anger.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • The virtue-signaling and pandering and gaslighting would end.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Germany’s Chancellor stood in the White House with the US President and extolled the virtues of hydrogen.
    — Sverre Alvik, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • His position on Saturday, and his performance, will offer clarity about who the Eagles value in their depth along the offensive line — and where.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • She is alleged to have touted that the company had a potential future value of more than $4 billion.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of value
Noun
  • The argument for promoting King before the end of the season has some merit, too.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • However, critics argue this lack of transparency could diminish scientific peer review, increase opacity, and potentially open the door to political influence over funding decisions, rather than merit.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of merit

Browse Nearby Words

cardinal
cardinal virtue
cardinal virtues
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of lackadaisical

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All