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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Recent Examples of cardinal virtue
These efforts embody the cardinal virtues of courageous citizenship: the experimental willingness to try new approaches and revise them, the reflective willingness to face history squarely, and the empathic willingness to find public value in the perspectives of those who differ from us.
—
Trygve Throntveit,
Time,
27 May 2026
Tolerance became the cardinal virtue of modern liberalism, but tolerance cannot sustain a civilization.
—
Carolyn McKinney,
Boston Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
Practical wisdom, justice, and AI The cardinal virtues of practical wisdom and justice are the habits for deciding, fairly, what needs to be done.
—
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
Breaching tennis’ cardinal virtues of self-sufficiency and autonomy, the coach begins by telling this emotional woman to calm down.
—
Jon Wertheim,
SI.com,
11 Apr. 2018
Trygve Throntveit,
Time,
27 May 2026
Tolerance became the cardinal virtue of modern liberalism, but tolerance cannot sustain a civilization.
—
Carolyn McKinney,
Boston Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
Practical wisdom, justice, and AI The cardinal virtues of practical wisdom and justice are the habits for deciding, fairly, what needs to be done.
—
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
Breaching tennis’ cardinal virtues of self-sufficiency and autonomy, the coach begins by telling this emotional woman to calm down.
—
Jon Wertheim,
SI.com,
11 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal virtue
Noun
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Still, some experts say the lack of awareness may delay some eligible adults from taking advantage of the new coverage and getting on the treatments immediately.
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The Dodgers took full advantage of the Padres’ defensive mistakes to jump-start their offense.
Noun
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There's an important distinction between a role being loved by fans and a role being loved by the actress who played her, however.
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That distinction belonged to William McChesney Martin, who served from 1951 until early 1970.
Noun
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Light and Breezy One of the many virtues of the ’60s shift is its simplicity.
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Understanding character and how potential virtues can manifest as vices is a starting point; however, knowing is not enough.
Noun
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The values imparted to me throughout my public school education — equal opportunity, impartial justice, respect for expertise, basic honesty — have been abandoned by a new breed of politician that has turned governance itself into a blood sport.
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That Teng could even accomplish it and have some success speaks to his value and adaptability.
Noun
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Wilkins was quick to defend her participation and her merits as a musical act.
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Cases granted certiorari move onto the merits stage.
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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