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
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Recent Examples of virtues
Topping it off are outstanding truck virtues, from its off-road-ready all-wheel-drive system to its 11,000-pound maximum towing capacity to the clever cargo storage area between the cab and bed.
—
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
In his speech, Ohanian, who is Armenian, extolled the virtues of allyship across cultures.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
All this is particularly noteworthy in today’s era, where such leadership virtues are seemingly in decline, if not disappearing.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The cemetery was a communal space, yet each fence demarcated a private domain—my nature, my virtues, my gait, my mood.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The individual virtues are cultivated over time through repetition.
—Tucker J. Gregor, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Elizabeth told me that the songs serve as a reminder to young musicians about the virtues of live, unadulterated recordings.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Perhaps of even greater concern, ICE’s recruitment efforts appear to deliberately echo white-nationalist rhetoric—bringing in a wave of new agents who are more inspired by MAGA ideology than by the virtues of public service.
—Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Journalism, my beloved profession, still clings to the virtues of distance and detachment.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
In his speech, Ohanian, who is Armenian, extolled the virtues of allyship across cultures.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
All this is particularly noteworthy in today’s era, where such leadership virtues are seemingly in decline, if not disappearing.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The cemetery was a communal space, yet each fence demarcated a private domain—my nature, my virtues, my gait, my mood.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The individual virtues are cultivated over time through repetition.
—Tucker J. Gregor, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Elizabeth told me that the songs serve as a reminder to young musicians about the virtues of live, unadulterated recordings.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Perhaps of even greater concern, ICE’s recruitment efforts appear to deliberately echo white-nationalist rhetoric—bringing in a wave of new agents who are more inspired by MAGA ideology than by the virtues of public service.
—Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Journalism, my beloved profession, still clings to the virtues of distance and detachment.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtues
Noun
-
Drawing from pre-Columbian sound artifacts, Alarcón Tennen reimagines sculpture as exchange rather than form, collapsing distinctions between viewer and performer, touch and sound.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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The distinctions on these rosters are more than a bit fungible.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The group, made up primarily of siblings and some of their cousins, has managed to develop an international following with their short films despite a lack of formal training or much in the way of economic advantages.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
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Additionally, these IRAs have the same tax advantages as standard IRAs.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The point here isn’t to rule on the merits of photo ID.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Social media has been full of Laegreid memes, while during Norway’s biggest radio debate show, two relationship experts discussed the merits of his confession.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Despite solid economic growth, booming stock values, cooling inflation and a stable unemployment rate, the economic gains have been uneven.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Auction values are based on 12-team, 26-player rosters with a $260 budget.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
Cite this Entry
“Virtues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtues. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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