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
Netflix's Bridgerton is a Regency-era series about the romantic follies of the noble Bridgerton family. Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026 Starmer said that the government was working on legislation to remove the noble title, Lord Mandelson, that the ex-ambassador still holds. Jill Lawless The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Tiarè is a tropical flower from Polynesia; it was intended for the ruling class of nobles and as a symbol of purity and divine power. Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025 Medieval sumptuary laws dictated who could wear what—velvet for nobles, pearls for the pious, gold for the crown. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • The American groups always had very aristocratic, wonderful names.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
  • According to English Heritage, the charity which maintains the property, the rooms were first used by royal and aristocratic children and their attendants.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Suites with interconnecting doors across the balcony are a great choice for larger families, and most regular activities include child-friendly options, like the beginner’s surfing classes in calmer waves or toddler bikes for cycling along the nature reserve.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
  • There is a fantastic Lam retrospective at the Modern Museum of Art, but Scott had the idea months before and went to great lengths to convince Lam’s estate to collaborate.
    Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Though the art that first spoke to me was honest and honorable depictions of Black life, I have since been inspired, gutted and changed by artists from all walks of life.
    Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson called LaMalfa an honorable public servant and recounted the two working together to deliver help for wildfire victims.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • When the best that Dallas has to offer — from the architect to the builder to the landscaping and beyond — collaborate, the result is a contemporary home that feels timeless, restorative and magnificent.
    Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Benito’s magnificent staging mirrored our strength and encouraged us to stay in the fight, in whatever language speaks to our hearts.
    Lara N. Dotson-Renta, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Thankfully, the wonderful leaders of our great state of Florida have corrected this problem.
    Krys Fluker, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit, before the crowds descend for the summer months.
    Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Folks rolled into the Mercury Theater, then under the management of Michael Cullen, who conveniently owned the Irish pub next door, replete with a distinguished meatloaf.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh Steelers (13 points) The Steelers summoned the 62-year-old Pittsburgh native after his one-year sabbatical, and McCarthy will continue his distinguished coaching tour after leading the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys earlier in his career.
    Jeff Howe, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Other historians, as well as the International Olympic Committee, credit French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin with proposing the revival in 1894.
    Ayana Archie, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
  • In 1999, the Labour government of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair evicted most of the more than 750 hereditary peers, though to avoid an aristocrats’ rebellion, 92 were allowed to remain temporarily.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • And the stakes were extremely high.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Under the bill, school districts can apply for reimbursement for any high-needs student for costs beyond $30,000 per student, with a maximum reimbursement of up to $100,000 per student.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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