noble 1 of 3

Definition of noblenext
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noble

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noun (1)

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

nobleness

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noun (2)

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

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
Named after the Frankish noble family that included Charles Martel and his grandson Charlemagne, the Carolingian era was a transformative time in medieval Europe, where power was consolidated and regional cultures began to blend. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026 As for that noble Iranian game, chess. Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
Jonathan Richardson the Elder apprenticed under John Riley, the court painter of English king William of Orange, and made a fine living as a portrait painter of various nobles and notables throughout the first half of the 1700s. Literary Hub, 22 Dec. 2025 Based on Julia Quinn's beloved book series, the Netflix series centers on its namesake family of lovestruck nobles, with each season highlighting the romantic exploits of a different Bridgerton. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • The poisoning of a champion stallion opens an investigation that starts to expose tensions and secrets inside an aristocratic horse breeding dynasty.
    Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The series begins with her and Jolyon’s wedding, and Francis certainly thinks that her six-episode season will be about ensuring her family’s ascendency into aristocratic society by finding a suitable match for her daughter June (Justine Emma Moore).
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That said, there are some great hotel options, as well.
    Jenna Curcio, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The more complex the problems become, the greater the demands on those external resources, while those resources themselves — due to the increasing specialization of the nature of the assignments — become less available, less comprehensive, and less sufficient overall.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The people in Japan are so honorable.
    Matt Bomer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Third team Gonzaga senior Graham Ike, an honorable-mention pick two years ago, earned third-team honors this season.
    Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • As Travis Kelce winds down his magnificent career, look for the Chiefs to select a potential successor who can put up numbers.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
  • At times this all reminded me a bit of Elia Kazan’s magnificent memoir of a young Greek coming to a new life in America America and at other times of Spike Lee’s vividly filmed Do the Right Thing in a different NYC neighborhood.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Even a spontaneous side order of roasted carrots with pomegranate yogurt is haunting me, in a wonderful way.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Jim has a wonderful history with Cannes.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • About Christopher Jackson Jackson has built a distinguished Broadway career spanning nearly three decades.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Each episode offers intimate, in-depth conversations with distinguished voices from across the literary landscape—about their lives, their work, and the ideas that shape both.
    Jarrett Earnest, The New York Review of Books, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • An assembly of planets moves through your ninth house, putting travel, expansion, and higher purpose at the center of your month.
    Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Strus went on to enter halftime with a game-high 22 points.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s nothing funnier than being honest.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Ready to be honest about what lights you up?
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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