virtue

noun

ˈvər-(ˌ)chü How to pronounce virtue (audio)
Definition of virtuenext
1
as in distinction
a quality that gives something special worth the virtue of wool as a clothing material is that it can provide insulation from the cold even when wet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in morality
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong a lady of honor and virtue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in heroism
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger a military hero whose virtue inspired a nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 virtue Both women recognized that fully realizing the aspirations and talents of women and girls also requires valuing the virtues and qualities that men and boys contribute, in the private and public spheres. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026 Americans have conflicting sensibilities about the comparative virtues of investing money and paying down debt. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Which might make Trejo a somewhat unlikely spokesman for the virtues of America’s methadone clinic system. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026 Once it’s been rationalized and authorized by the government, even admired and cultivated as an expedient virtue, there’s no easy way to stop it. — David Shulman, The New York Review of Books, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for virtue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtue
  1. distinction
  2. morality
  3. heroism
  4. advantage
  5. integrity
  6. courage
  7. value
  8. honesty
Noun
  • That distinction could become central to Maduro’s attempt to separate his case from that of former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega, one of the closest historical comparisons.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That distinction becomes important as benchmarks approach their ceilings.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • The McLuhanite in me wants to stick to the first interpretation, in which the apparent shift in shame is a matter of morality getting funnelled through a new medium.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Swift was born into the Anglo-Irish Protestant elite, and the text satires both the callousness of his class and a then-ascendant approach to morality and politics that held that all aspects of life could be cooked down to a pure numerical value.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of morality
Noun
  • Dawadi’s quick thinking and swift response during the disaster have been hailed as an act of heroism.
    — Shonal Ganguly, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Against expectation, the film eschews neat narratives about survival and heroism.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of heroism
Noun
  • Galatasaray squandered a 5-2 first-leg lead against Juventus in last season’s knockout play-off round, despite having a man advantage for most of the game.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Podded propulsion offers particular advantages in this environment.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Community College District abruptly canceled bidding for a major student housing project after a losing bidder challenged the integrity of the process.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The court is confident in the soundness of the proceedings and the integrity of the judges.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of integrity
Noun
  • Harry must find the courage to prove himself against the darkest wizard of all.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Through stories and interactive experiences, the Dream Maker will encourage guests to dream big, believe in themselves and lift others up through courage and kindness.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • Griffin acquired the painting in a private transaction through Christie’s in 2024, with art experts estimating its value at $200 million or more.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • During the Viking Age, silver bars, jewelry and scrap silver were used as a means of payment and to store value, with their weight determining their value, according the museums group.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of value
Noun
  • A little warmth will keep honesty from sounding like criticism.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That honesty, counterintuitively, builds more trust than advocacy.
    — Aurelien Mangano, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of honesty

Phrases Containing virtue

Browse Nearby Words

virtually
virtue
virtueless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtue. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on virtue

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about virtue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stigma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All