cardinal virtue

noun

|Updated on: 27 Apr 2018

Examples: cardinal virtue in a Sentence

Definition of cardinal virtue

1 : one of the four classically defined natural virtues prudence, justice, temperance, or fortitude

2 : a quality designated as a major virtue

Examples of cardinal virtue in a Sentence

the cardinal virtue of wool is that it retains its insulating properties even when wet

Recent Examples of cardinal virtue from the Web

Breaching tennis’ cardinal virtues of self-sufficiency and autonomy, the coach begins by telling this emotional woman to calm down.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: Did David Ferrer’s Davis Cup Triumph Doom ITF Proposal for Revamp?," 11 Apr. 2018
Dialogue is one of their cardinal virtues, and most seemed determined to give Trump a hearing.

— Time, "'America No Longer Matters.' Davos Isn't Worried About President Trump," 25 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cardinal virtue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of cardinal virtue

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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cardinal virtue Synonyms

Synonyms

distinction, excellence, excellency, grace, merit, value, virtue;

Antonyms

deficiency, demerit, disvalue;

Near Antonyms

blemish, defect, failing, fault, flaw;

drawback, minus, negative;

Related Words

advantage, edge, plus, superiority;

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See words that rhyme with cardinal virtue Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cardinal virtue

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