CARDINAL VIRTUE Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

cardinal virtue

noun

Definition of cardinal virtue

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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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

Noun

For the night, Orlando held a 24-3 advantage in offensive rebounding, which led to extra scoring chances.

— Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Obviously, Republicans engaged in this rare mid-decade redistricting in an attempt to try to gain political advantage in the House.

— NBC news, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of advantage

Noun

And in another, the person who should have been named top scorer had that distinction taken and given to someone else.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
Recognize Different Events Require Different Support A big part of the nuances of workplace expectations around personal circumstances is making finer distinctions between them.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of distinction

Noun

Put another way, his entire belief system revolves around the virtues of second chances.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2026
The exhibition explores the 18th century’s opposing facets of virtue and vice, as depicted in works by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of virtue

Noun

Expecting to have to work hard to convince students of its merits, Aladjem was shocked to discover that nearly all of them were in favor of capital punishment.

— Dominic Erdozain, Time, 12 Nov. 2026
Whatever the merits of that approach, this is not a case of a band drawing a positive charge from fascist iconography.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of merit

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“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of cardinal virtue

noun

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