virtues

noun

plural of virtue
as in distinctions
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

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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 virtues Its main virtues for gluten-free eaters are a dedicated fryer and incredibly good french fries—available as a stand-alone side or, even better, as part of steak frites. — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026 Fans and filmmaker alike might benefit from remembering these virtues as well. — The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026 War is above all, in their eyes, the occasion to demonstrate the most noble human virtues…energy, ​self-​mastery, sacrifice to a cause that is greater than oneself. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026 For Monday meditation, the teaching group has assigned the 10 paramis (spiritual virtues) of Buddhism, which explore topics like generosity, wisdom and patience. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 What unites these seemingly disparate topics is Wilson’s knack for putting himself into scenarios with unusual people that lead him into unexpected territory—a lesson in the virtues of simple observation. — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026 Unused Electronics Pope extols the virtues of clearing your house of all useless electronics. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026 The Christian blogger Phylicia Masonheimer has extolled the virtues of lingerie showers. — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtues
  1. distinctions
  2. advantages
  3. merits
  4. values
  5. excellences
Noun
  • Clients will feel the consequences not as abstract regulatory distinctions, but as higher bills, slower service and fewer choices.
    — Will Hausberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Minor differences in wording such as referring to someone as a tenant versus a resident or referring to animals as being in captivity versus under human care are distinctions that matter.
    — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of distinctions
Noun
  • But starting a second business after successfully exiting another comes with advantages, says Ellsworth.
    — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Their properties offer advantages in applications that require efficient switching, high power density, or high-voltage operation.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of advantages
Noun
  • Expecting to have to work hard to convince students of its merits, Aladjem was shocked to discover that nearly all of them were in favor of capital punishment.
    — Dominic Erdozain, Time, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Whatever the merits of that approach, this is not a case of a band drawing a positive charge from fascist iconography.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of merits
Noun
  • The backstory The first Mandarin Oriental hotel—then called The Mandarin—opened its doors in Hong Kong in 1963 and has remained central to the hotel group’s core values, despite global expansion.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • There’s nostalgia and old world values as well as breaks from conventional and subtle sociopolitical commentary.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of values
Noun
  • America’s Game stands as a symbol of excellences and our great national sprit.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Developed and processed by its in-house team at its facilities in Roccapietra and Quarona, Italy, Loro Piana is ranking Royal Lightness among its consolidated excellences, such as The Gift of Kings.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of excellences

Browse Nearby Words

virtueless
virtues
virtuosic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Virtues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtues. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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