noble 1 of 2

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noble

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noun

as in aristocrat
a man or woman of high birth or social position an elite school for children of nobles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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 noble
Adjective
Rather than complaining and predicting economic ruin, Americans treated rationing as noble. Gil Troy, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026 From there, arrangements need to be made, and Ed takes up the task with noble gravitas until Ann roasts him to a crisp in that library. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026 VIPs included Princesse Lamballe of Italy and the Polignacs, a family of French nobles, including her bestie, the Duchesse de Polignac, along with an attractive buffet of artists, musicians, and actors. Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • One of this play’s many delights arrives when down-market, undereducated Becky comes face-to-face with the aristocratic Susan, their similarities soon as peculiar and glaring as their differences.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The tourbillon version encases an appealing tension between the 270-piece complication’s visceral architecture and Roth’s flair for aristocratic typefaces and theatrical curves.
    Adam Erace, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Chernyshov is a big, strong (6-foot-3, about 200 pounds) winger and modern power-forward type where driving is a part of his identity, but not to a bullish fault as his only focus, and his skill/finesse might take on greater emphasis.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Polish Remover Wipes are TSA-approved and great for travel.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The people in Japan are so honorable.
    Matt Bomer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Third team Gonzaga senior Graham Ike, an honorable-mention pick two years ago, earned third-team honors this season.
    Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And beyond our atmosphere, the Artemis II astronauts set a record Monday as the farthest humans from Earth during a lunar flyby promising magnificent views of the far side never before witnessed.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Upon first glance of the architectural marvel that is the magnificent indoor-outdoor lobby, my mouth gaped open; on every return visit since, it's done the same.
    Emily Adler, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But that is the context of a wonderful performance.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • And serialization is a glorious, wonderful thing that happens automatically to a show that people love.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Saudi Arabia is using its East-West pipeline, which stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, to transfer about 5 million barrels per day out of the Gulf, said Michael Lynch, distinguished fellow at Energy Policy Research Foundation, a non-partisan institution focused on energy and economics.
    Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Advertisement Curtis Bradley, a distinguished service professor of law at the University of Chicago, told TIME that there is, at least, some precedent, citing President Jimmy Carter's withdrawal from a mutual defense treaty with Taiwan in 1978, which was formalized in 1980.
    Tiago Ventura, Time, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The home improvement company is also a dividend aristocrat, having raised its annual dividend for more than 25 straight years .
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Elsa Luisa Maria Schiaparelli is born in Rome, the second of two daughters of a Neapolitan aristocrat, Giuseppa Maria de Dominicis, and Celestino Schiaparelli, a scholar from Piedmont who was appointed head of the Lincei Library in the Palazzo Corsini by King Victor Emmanuel II.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • More importantly, Slaughter expanded her game, operating more in the post, rebounding at a higher level and continuing to handle the ball effectively.
    Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Those who leave earlier — by May 31 — are eligible for the highest financial incentive.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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