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
To Trump, fluidity and inconsistency are virtues, not bugs.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Critics insist there isn’t a verifiable way to ensure that buyers receive what the labels promise, creating room for inauthentic claims that inflate the environmental virtues of certain products.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
One of Lerner’s virtues as a writer is that his work resists this relentless gathering of data (news, text messages, posts), a gathering that’s both abundant and diffuse, and that, paradoxically, feels like a giving over of one’s mind and capacities to fuzzy abstraction.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Committing to pluralism is a sign of character – one that can be strengthened by practicing particular virtues.
—Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Among them was a young white man in a suit who held up an Indian flag, imitated an Indian accent and extolled the virtues of public defecation.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
These virtues are not irrelevant relics.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Mostly, Stanton’s sense of her own virtues made her bristle at all the great and petty indignities that characterized her place as a woman.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
The situation calls for simplicity, somebody who can distill the game down to its most basic parts and sell this squad on the virtues of enjoying their football again, within a framework that’s quick to install in the Premier League.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Critics insist there isn’t a verifiable way to ensure that buyers receive what the labels promise, creating room for inauthentic claims that inflate the environmental virtues of certain products.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
One of Lerner’s virtues as a writer is that his work resists this relentless gathering of data (news, text messages, posts), a gathering that’s both abundant and diffuse, and that, paradoxically, feels like a giving over of one’s mind and capacities to fuzzy abstraction.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Committing to pluralism is a sign of character – one that can be strengthened by practicing particular virtues.
—Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Among them was a young white man in a suit who held up an Indian flag, imitated an Indian accent and extolled the virtues of public defecation.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
These virtues are not irrelevant relics.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Mostly, Stanton’s sense of her own virtues made her bristle at all the great and petty indignities that characterized her place as a woman.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
The situation calls for simplicity, somebody who can distill the game down to its most basic parts and sell this squad on the virtues of enjoying their football again, within a framework that’s quick to install in the Premier League.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtues
Noun
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Understanding these distinctions can help set realistic expectations before applying for tax relief.—
Deane Biermeier,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Thematically, there are some parallels between this project and Dosa’s Fire of Love, and notable distinctions.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Although plants are sometimes selected and bred for darker foliage solely for ornamental purposes, there are distinct physiological advantages to plants that have it.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
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Despite their advantages, these systems raise important concerns.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An appellate court has paused the order for now, and at time of publication had yet to rule on the merits.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That time the justices — three of whom sat with Robinson during the earlier appeal — ruled on the merits of the case.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These platforms must forge collaborative networks that mutually reinforce one another and establish a rigorous framework that makes the cultural values of the biennial format legible, tangible, and palpable to various segments of society in the immediate locale and across the continent.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Our alt data is also supportive given moderating pressures in range resale values and strong special vehicles’ appreciation.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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America’s Game stands as a symbol of excellences and our great national sprit.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
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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 2 Apr. 2026.
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