Definition of noblenext
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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

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
And when money or power are the overriding motivations, the more fundamental human pursuits—no matter how noble, socially beneficial, or life-affirming—fall by the wayside. David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026 Such an outcome, which may not require any intentional misuse or manipulation of our products, is, in the view of the Company’s management, an acceptable cost of pursuing its noble mission. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
Baden-Baden has been a spa town since ancient times, luring Roman-era nobles to take the waters there at its natural springs in the Black Forest. Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026 Today, the adjacent Palo Castle is still owned by the Odescalchi, nobles of princely rank. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • During the period known as the Xi (Western) Zhou dynasty (1046–771 bce), warfare had been dominated by aristocratic elites and chariot forces and was generally conducted by armies smaller than those of subsequent centuries.
    Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Often, entrants include these alongside aristocratic and highbrow interests in a way that could reduce the appearance of snobbishness.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Indeed, as much as Chicago has looked to past mayors as larger-than-life figures, the city rarely has accomplished anything great without the active involvement of its business community.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Evolution When asked about the greatest innovation of humans, people will often say language or fire.
    Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • While some might argue that Murphy is an antihero, Hawke viewed him as an honorable man.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • There are, of course, many honorable people who own businesses and choose to become politicians.
    Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • An ethereal and magnificent display of gas and dust stretches across the cosmos in a spectacular new image captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Just across the square, the Blue Mosque is equally magnificent.
    Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Reclaiming the work of women selling fish, and the word that was an insult but is now a beautiful brand, is a wonderful turn of phrase and time, to us.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down.
    Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • During the Yuma event, the interceptor was loaded into an eight-shot launcher and demonstrated to distinguished visitors.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Elizabeth Shackelford is a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune and a distinguished lecturer with the Dickey Center at Dartmouth College.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But a motley array of other people—advocates of free love, avant-garde painters, grifters fleecing ex-aristocrats—took advantage of the chaos to promote their own agendas.
    Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The place to indulge in the unbridled opulence of an early 20th-century aristocrat.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Fed policymakers unanimously supported the rate hike, compared with late July when the central bank kept rates steady and three officials dissented in favor of higher rates.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Set the Scene While Belden House is set back some from the busy village center, this is very much a high-street, center-of-town hotel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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