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
Not play-act, but do the real work, make the hard and noble choices, not forsake his vows but live by them. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Paying more attention to getting good sleep, consuming enough nutrients and setting yourself up for success in your fertility is a noble effort. Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Noun
One of these high-ranking British nobles was the Earl of Euston. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • Despite no longer being official royal house members, they are styled with aristocratic titles and remain in the line of succession.
    Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • The Hotel Due Mari, a 17th-century aristocratic villa formerly owned by the marquesses of Bolasco, sits between Sestri’s two bays.
    Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • If cultural norms do shape footballing identities, that gap may help explain why the Spanish game has historically placed a greater premium on collective structures than some of its European neighbours.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • His greatest series let people see a character who has revealed the filthiest, most shameful parts of themselves, and imagine them as a mirror.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Ingrid is an honorable and moral friend who facilitates her death while staying in a neighboring room.
    Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Olson received a tactical operations support award from the sheriff’s department in 2023 and was scheduled to receive a five-year honorable service award this month.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Guests can also choose to tack on optional experiences, including a visit to the magnificent Abu Simbel temple and high tea at Aswan’s historic Sofitel Legend Old Cataract hotel.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Thanks to the magnificent gothic Minster looking down on winding medieval streets with quirky names such as The Shambles and Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, tourists descend on the city in the tens of thousands every week.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The restaurant has two Michelin stars; there's also a daytime bistro and a wonderful bar worth spending a few hours in.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And like ginseng was supposed to be like this magical supplement that, like, improved health and memory and all sorts of wonderful things.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Football legends such as Charlie Ward, Travis Hunter and Eric Berry headline a distinguished legacy that continues in 2026.
    Jack Leo, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Noel Brewer is the Gillings distinguished professor in public health at the University of North Carolina.
    Noel T. Brewer, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • On Tuesday, September 3, there was a welcome dinner on the terrace of the Boutique Hotel Oasis, a luxury getaway built inside the former villa of an aristocrat along a stretch of private beach.
    Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
  • The trans actor Elliot Page plays Sinon, a poor boy from Ithaca who is brave enough to travel with Odysseus in place of the cowardly aristocrat Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson.
    Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • The report notes the area is known by detectives to be a high crime area with multiple stray dogs and wandering drug users.
    Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The 2026 World Cup can be a catalyst to boost it to an even higher orbit.
    Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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