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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

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
Thankfully, the Rockefeller tree will serve a noble purpose long after the holiday season is over. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025 The noble notion of authorship itself. Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Casting black actors as Anglo-Saxon nobles is only the most in-your-face example of this problem. Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025 When a noble line holds land for generations those nobles sometimes form a bond with the realm that holds magical power. Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, meanwhile, is located in the former hunting lodge of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, and its Munich branch sits at the former Bavarian State Bank headquarters and the adjacent Palais Neuhaus-Preysing, originally an aristocratic residence from the 1700s.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Federalist critics in Congress argued the colonnades looked aristocratic.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • WeRide is a member of this year’s Future 50, Fortune’s annual ranking of companies with the greatest potential for growth.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • After looking over the latest update from Jim Bowden, the odds of Bregman staying with the Red Sox are not looking too great currently.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2021, the Vietnam Veterans of America presented Agnes with an award for her dedication, devotion and honorable military service.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
  • And unlike Hemingway, who tends to be fixated on honorable men thrust into, or just emerging from, Big Moments—frequently war—McGuane is interested in large-souled men in smaller moments.
    Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Windtraders are a flying tribe with magnificent crafts to soar above Pandora.
    Fred Topel, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
  • His garden was truly magnificent.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Christos honored their promise by gifting me with a wonderful collage in addition to my one-dollar paycheck.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • That scene was so incredibly awkward… and wonderful.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The evening convenes business and government leaders, distinguished military representatives and dignitaries to honor the military and veteran community, which is one of Harry's close causes.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The two-time Ivy League graduate and distinguished attorney has already penned multiple books that topped The New York Times bestsellers list.
    Essence, Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • From hot scientists to charming aristocrats to dancing princes, here are Bailey’s sexiest onscreen roles thus far.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
  • That’s realized quite literally by the prolific Swedish actor Stig Järrel, who plays Satan as an aristocrat in a state of perpetual ocular discomfort due to Britt-Marie’s insistence on holding onto her virginity.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Some American customers are also shunning Starbucks for its relatively high prices, compared to McDonald’s and other less expensive chains like Dunkin’.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • In its most recent quarter, Grab reported revenue of $873 million, 22% higher than the same period the year before.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

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