noble 1 of 2

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
Isn’t poetry the most noble of arts, the most sacred, the one nobody, far less someone devoted to writing, should question? Literary Hub, 11 May 2026 For whatever reason, even the best of intentions and most noble of goals fall short sometimes. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
Noun
This observation was recorded in part by a Japanese noble named Fujiwara no Sadaie in his diary, entitled Meigetsuki. Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026 At balls that approximate what Bridgerton might be like if the charming debutantes were matched with white-haired monsters instead of handsome, age-appropriate nobles, Commanders spike their prospective Wives’ drinks. Judy Berman, Time, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • My father, a boy, sat in the back seat with his brothers and Choute—Duchess of Montmoreau, née de Troguindy, a beautiful and aristocratic woman who went by this single childhood nickname.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
  • News articles and photos of the casual picnic enamored Americans, transforming their view of the royals as rigid and aristocratic to more down-to-earth.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • For a player who isn’t exactly known for his defensive acumen, Dorofeyev made several great defensive plays with his stick.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Even in the United States, his student turned assistant Henry LeTang became the tap teacher to hundreds, from starlets needing tailoring to the great Gregory Hines.
    Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Interpreted in this light, silence evolved to signify the very condition of being an honorable man who was capable of maintaining omertà.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
  • Either way, Netflix respectfully disagrees with the honorable gentleman from the former Republic of Texas, to put it nicely.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Afterwards, cross the road and wander the magnificent university that inspired Hogwarts.
    Riza Cruz, Vogue, 11 May 2026
  • This week, the Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger in Norway announced its recent acquisition of a magnificent sheath, thanks to a curious hiker out for a walk one morning.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • Drag is a wonderful and versatile art form that offers joy and freedom of expression.
    Rachel del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
  • It’s been really wonderful to have you on today.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Christopher Abbott, Jon Bernthal, Rose Byrne, Carrie Coon, Ayo Edebiri, Alden Ehrenreich, Luke Evans, Daniel Radcliffe, Laurie Metcalf and Lea Michele are just a sampling of the big-name performers nominated today for 2026 New York Drama League Awards in the distinguished performances category.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 May 2026
  • Helicopters and trailers arrived in large numbers, famous faces and a distinguished director settled in near grazing cattle, and the cameras started rolling.
    Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Hedda, a bat bioacoustics researcher, is pressured by a pro-natalist regime; Berthe, an aristocrat, is subjected to animal-magnetism treatments for infertility.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 11 May 2026
  • Intriguingly, the 140 selections on view, ranging from vases to books, Buddhist figurines to landscape painting, literati desk accessories to official portraiture, look nothing at all like the art favored by European aristocrats arrayed elsewhere in the Art Institute.
    Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But the barrier to entry is higher than usual, given that the movie is a continuation of a TV show that has been on for three seasons.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 May 2026
  • For those wishing to hone their game, The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee, created in partnership with TaylorMade, offers innovative technology and personal instruction at the highest level.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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