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
  • Though 57% of voters say the Democratic Party does not have a clear vision for the future, Republicans hold no advantage in this category either, according to a CBS News poll released on Sunday.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Joe Burrow gives the Bengals the quarterback advantage, and the extra preparation strengthens their case.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • That distinction shows both the opportunity for American technology and the limits imposed by remaining dependencies.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The city institution, which artistic director Robert Drake describes as Georgia's longest-running theater, also holds the distinction of being the first professional theater to integrate both its casts and audience in the southeastern United States.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • The virtue-signaling from the insufferable COVID summer of 2020 turned a lot of people off, rightfully so.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The nod to purity emphasized the paint brand’s relationship to cleanliness and virtue, and possibly other notions of bigotry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • The federal government was preparing to change its rules on low-value imports, threatening her ability to purchase cheaper prescription medications for blood thinning and heart failure from Canada.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That’s 35% of the value of the S&P 500 and the highest concentration in a handful of stocks since just before the crash of 1929.
    — Ming Lu, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of value
Noun
  • Even if the business can prove that the claims being made against it are without merit, legal defense fees can still become costly.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After an extensive review, which included training on state law, reading the book and discussing its merits, the committee decided unanimously to keep the book in Harford County high schools.
    — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of merit

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Cite this Entry

“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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