Synonyms of noble

noble 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnō-bəl 

1

as in aristocratic

of high birth, rank, or station

despite his noble background, the prince is known for his unpretentious way with common people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aristocratic
• great
• patrician
• gentle
• upper-class
• highborn
• grand
• upper-crust
• genteel
• royal
• highbred
• blue-blooded
• wellborn
• silk-stocking
• exalted
• lofty
• superior
• regal
• high
• knightly
• gentlemanly
• princely
• ennobled
• senior
• kingly
• ladylike
• queenly
• high-level
• lordly
• elevated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• humble
• ignoble
• low
• plebeian
• lowly
• lower-class
• mean
• inferior
• bastard
• ordinary
• illegitimate
• plain
• nonaristocratic
• ungenteel
• knavish
• baseborn
• subordinate
• degraded
• junior
• abased

2

as in great

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature

the factory owner had a kind, noble disposition that showed in his unstinting generosity toward the poor

our country was founded on the noble ideas that are put forth in the Founding Fathers' writings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• great
• high
• gallant
• honorable
• sublime
• chivalrous
• magnanimous
• lofty
• big
• high-minded
• natural
• heroic
• lordly
• worthy
• elevated
• valiant
• exalted
• venerable
• regal
• greathearted
• magnificent
• inspiring
• knightly
• ennobled
• princely
• majestic
• uplifting
• moving
• numinous
• glorified
• august

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoble
• low
• degenerate
• base
• debased
• vile
• degraded
• sordid
• wretched
• contemptible
• squalid
• despicable
• ugly
• vicious
• detestable
• repulsive
• offensive
• abominable
• hateful
• little
• dirty
• sorry
• dastardly
• lousy
• narrow
• mean
• ignominious
• humiliating
• discreditable
• coarse
• degrading
• crude
• vulgar
• small-minded

3

as in honorable

following the accepted rules of moral conduct

his noble behavior even as he was being unjustly attacked by his political opponents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• respectable
• decent
• righteous
• principled
• upright
• good
• upstanding
• just
• nice
• conscientious
• chivalrous
• virtuous
• moral
• irreproachable
• unimpeachable
• proper
• blameless
• unassailable
• stand-up
• respected
• guiltless
• classy
• polite
• high-minded
• incorruptible
• scrupulous
• reputable
• decorous
• fair
• uncorrupted
• right-minded
• seemly
• menschy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoble
• unworthy
• unjust
• dishonorable
• low
• criminal
• dishonest
• unethical
• unprincipled
• base
• evil
• corrupt
• unrighteous
• bad
• sinful
• nefarious
• immoral
• reprehensible
• mean
• iniquitous
• crooked
• roguish
• rotten
• unfair
• wicked
• vile
• unscrupulous
• villainous
• rascally
• wretched
• knavish
• culpable
• scoundrelly
• censurable
• blameworthy
• shameful
• blackguardly
• disgraceful
• disreputable
• depraved
• perverse
• venal
• blamable
• dissolute
• degenerate
• perverted
• profligate
• loose
• debased
• decadent
• degraded
• debauched
• libertine
• demoralized
• dissipated
• reprobate

4

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception

Peter the Great's plan to build for Russia a capital city as noble as any in Europe

Synonyms & Similar Words

• magnificent
• glorious
• epic
• majestic
• imposing
• royal
• proud
• grand
• heroic
• regal
• monumental
• imperial
• impressive
• massive
• gallant
• wonderful
• splendid
• operatic
• colossal
• luxurious
• grandiose
• remarkable
• formidable
• tremendous
• Homeric
• baronial
• stately
• lavish
• extraordinary
• august
• marvelous
• sublime
• gorgeous
• cosmic
• awesome
• superb
• terrific
• extravagant
• magnific
• stupendous
• wondrous
• monstrous
• prodigious
• princely
• divine
• kingly
• striking
• heavenly
• celestial
• awful
• inflated
• pompous
• apocalyptic
• sumptuous
• lordly
• opulent
• redoubtable
• queenly
• palatial
• sensational
• prepossessing
• killer
• overblown
• resplendent
• splendiferous
• palatine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• common
• ordinary
• lowly
• unimpressive
• unheroic
• average
• unprepossessing
• mediocre
• unimposing
• sordid
• shabby
• meretricious
• abject
• petty
• mean
• trivial
• insignificant
• trifling
• puny
• second-rate
• paltry
• run-of-the-mill
• measly

5

as in wonderful

of the very best kind

a noble racehorse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wonderful
• excellent
• beautiful
• lovely
• great
• terrific
• superb
• awesome
• fabulous
• fantastic
• prime
• stellar
• marvelous
• fine
• famous
• brave
• classic
• heavenly
• hot
• splendid
• neat
• divine
• quality
• cool
• grand
• superior
• good
• high-class
• exceptional
• righteous
• sensational
• first-class
• superlative
• dandy
• first-rate
• sterling
• immense
• radical
• slick
• choice
• top
• supernal
• banner
• par excellence
• peachy
• nifty
• top-notch
• keen
• unsurpassed
• capital
• swell
• decent
• top-shelf
• groovy
• prize
• too much
• blue-chip
• cracking
• mean
• blue-ribbon
• boss
• topflight
• first-string
• out of this world
• frontline
• fab
• dope
• wizard
• dynamite
• crackerjack
• bonny
• out-of-sight
• fantabulous
• bully
• topping
• special
• better
• number one
• acceptable
• gone
• top-of-the-line
• peachy keen
• primo
• classical
• satisfactory
• adequate
• tip-top
• prizewinning
• corking
• bumper
• bang-up
• A1
• four-star
• brag
• traditional
• five-star
• jim-dandy
• hype
• down
• numero uno
• gilt-edged
• phat
• tolerable
• boffo
• gangbusters
• A-OK
• all right
• fancy
• passable
• OK
• high-grade
• premium
• standard
• select
• high-test
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• terrible
• vile
• awful
• pathetic
• wretched
• rotten
• atrocious
• lousy
• bad
• inferior
• unsatisfactory
• execrable
• substandard
• low-grade
• mediocre
• second-class
• middling
• second-rate

6

as in distinguished

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement

a noble professor known internationally for his medical research

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distinguished
• outstanding
• prestigious
• illustrious
• famous
• notable
• noteworthy
• eminent
• superior
• luminous
• bright
• honored
• celebrated
• glorious
• signal
• renowned
• star
• exalted
• redoubtable
• infamous
• preeminent
• astral
• famed
• reputable
• notorious
• dominant
• predominant
• paramount

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• unimportant
• insignificant
• average
• inferior
• mediocre
• obscure
• unsung
• uncelebrated

noble

2 of 2

noun

as in aristocrat

a man or woman of high birth or social position

an elite school for children of nobles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aristocrat
• gentle
• patrician
• blue blood
• magnate
• gentleperson
• socialite
• swell
• nabob
• gentlefolk
• mogul
• magnifico

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commoner
• proletarian
• plebeian
• canaille
• peasant
• boor
• peon
• pleb
• fellah
• roturier

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective noble differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of noble are ethical, moral, righteous, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

When might ethical be a better fit than noble?

The synonyms ethical and noble are sometimes interchangeable, but ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

Where would moral be a reasonable alternative to noble?

While the synonyms moral and noble are close in meaning, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When can righteous be used instead of noble?

Although the words righteous and noble have much in common, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

When could virtuous be used to replace noble?

The words virtuous and noble can be used in similar contexts, but virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of noble

Adjective

At the film’s end, Damon also leaves on a ship, but the reason for his journey is much nobler than greed. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

As the noble Don Fabrizio Corbera, prince of Salina, who recognizes his time has passed, Burt Lancaster is beyond praise. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

Noun

The son of Italian nobles, Baldassare Castiglione’s main claim to fame was writing a book of etiquette based on his experience as a courtier, a person who serves as an attendant to a king, queen, or other member of a royal family. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026

With the blessing and leadership of various popes, the nobles of Europe raised armies, crossed various countries or sailed to the Middle East to fight and save the Holy Land (Palestine) from Muslim domination, something that echoes down the centuries to today. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026