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noun

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
Which is a noble and expansive ambition. Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025 Newer companies promising noble causes, in contrast, are not tarnished—or less tarnished, at least—which also appeals to idealistic young workers. Dave Smith, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
Landscape paintings and portraits of nobles jostled for attention alongside historical paintings and imagined scenes from Shakespeare’s plays. Literary Hub, 17 July 2025 However, to prevent the glass furnaces from causing fires, the nobles exiled the glassmakers – under penalty of death – to the island of Murano. Peter Mullner, The Conversation, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • As Mary’s family attempts to rally around the Downton heiress, Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) are navigating their way through more financial strife, with those downstairs also left to ponder what the future holds for aristocratic homes like theirs.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Beyond that, people found the Mitfords’ very, very aristocratic accent extremely annoying.
    Mimi Pond, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Another great addition is live captions and translation.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Praise feels great, ridicule or people not liking it doesn't.
    Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Initially receiving a general discharge, Matlovich’s status was posthumously elevated to honorable.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • That would be the honest, fair and honorable thing to do.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • All of them have been magnificent.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
  • All of them have been magnificent.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Stargazing is a wonderful pursuit that appeals to both the casual and dedicated observer, but views outside of cities are often much clearer and brighter thanks to different levels of light pollution.
    Harry Bennett, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Each year, Daniel and HFR present distinguished awards to individuals who are leading innovators in their respective fields.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Storied military career After graduating from North Carolina A&T in 1963 with a degree in engineering physics, Joseph McNeil was commissioned as a second lieutenant through ROTC and began a distinguished Air Force career, according to his university.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Ablin focuses on dividend growers, albeit with a shorter track record than dividend aristocrats, that are also high-quality companies.
    Michelle Fox, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
  • In yet another sweeping tale of two opposites finding common ground (and a lot of chemistry), Robert Redford starred as a hunter opposite Meryl Streep's aristocrat in what is now Kenya in the 1930s.
    Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Turkish Defense Ministry/AP Key Takeaways Larger carriers carry more aircraft, fuel, and supplies for longer operations but come with higher costs, bigger crews, greater risk from advanced weapons, and trouble in tight or shallow waters.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Linebacker Luke Ferrelli, a redshirt freshman from Carlsbad High School, has a team-high 27 tackles, followed by junior linebacker Cade Uluave (24) and junior defensive back Isaiah Crosby (21).
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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