by virtue of

phrase

variants or in virtue of

: through the force of : by authority of

She has the right to participate by virtue of her status as a former employee.

Examples of by virtue of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This boxy car never had a chance in Europe by virtue of not being street-legal there. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026

The Dolphins were awarded Haynes by virtue of having a worse record than the Ravens. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Political stars are born by virtue of their campaign’s ability to produce clips designed to go viral, earn media attention, and rake in donations from voters who’ve learned to love the candidate through their feeds. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Are there arguments to be made that some of these private companies are participating in hostilities by virtue of supplying the tools the military is using to wage war? — Kylie Jones, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for by virtue of

• hereinabove
• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove