virtue

1 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 cardinal virtue, distinction, excellency, grace, merit, value, excellenceRelated Words advantage, edge, plus, superiorityNear Antonyms blemish, defect, failing, fault, flaw; drawback, minus, negativeAntonyms deficiency, demerit, disvalue

2 conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong a lady of honor and virtue Synonyms character, decency, goodness, honesty, integrity, probity, rectitude, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, morality, virtuousnessRelated Words high-mindedness, honor, incorruptibility, irreproachability, irreproachableness, right-mindedness, scrupulosity, scrupulousness; appropriateness, correctness, decorousness, decorum, etiquette, fitness, propriety, seemliness; ethics, moralsNear Antonyms impropriety, indecency, indecorum, indiscretion; debauchery, degeneracy, degradation, depravity, perversion, pervertedness, sinfulness; crookedness, dishonesty, underhandedness, unscrupulousness; lowness, meanness, viciousness, vileness; corruptionAntonyms badness, evil, evildoing, immorality, iniquity, sin, villainy, wickedness

3 strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger a military hero whose virtue inspired a nation Synonyms bottle [British slang], bravery, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intestinal fortitude, intrepidity, intrepidness, moxie, nerve, pecker [chiefly British], prowess, stoutness, valor, courageRelated Words backbone, fiber, fortitude, grit, gumption, mettle, pluck, pluckiness, spunk, temper; determination, perseverance, resolution; endurance, stamina, stomach, tenacity; audacity, boldness, brazenness, cheek, cojones [slang], effrontery, gall, temerityNear Antonyms cold feet, faintheartedness, fearfulness, mousiness, timidity, timorousness; feebleness, softness, weakness; impotence, ineffectualness; hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresolutionAntonyms cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness