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
Well, take your picture of virtues for brave soldiers here, virtue itself being a word, while brave or bravery apparently didn’t fit.
—
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
From Breakfast Casserole to Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, Southern Living readers know a thing or two about the virtues of a bake-it-and-take-it meal.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Both inside and outside of fiction, many forces actively obscure the virtues, and even the content, of ordinary life.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Poems commemorating Ḥusayn and his virtues are recited, and the assemblies of mourning conclude with rhythmic chest-beating accompanying the poetry.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026
The three men's actions, Alexander said, embodied the virtues of Islamic community in San Diego.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
Clemency and leniency can be virtues, but only when the offender has shown a willingness to change or is part of some disadvantaged group.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 18 May 2026
Sharon had submitted a dozen couplets about the virtues of stay-at-home motherhood, as well as a rhyming list of reasons to believe in God.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
One of the many virtues of the Old Colony Mennonite church is silence.
—Maria Giesbrecht, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
From Breakfast Casserole to Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, Southern Living readers know a thing or two about the virtues of a bake-it-and-take-it meal.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Both inside and outside of fiction, many forces actively obscure the virtues, and even the content, of ordinary life.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Poems commemorating Ḥusayn and his virtues are recited, and the assemblies of mourning conclude with rhythmic chest-beating accompanying the poetry.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026
The three men's actions, Alexander said, embodied the virtues of Islamic community in San Diego.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
Clemency and leniency can be virtues, but only when the offender has shown a willingness to change or is part of some disadvantaged group.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 18 May 2026
Sharon had submitted a dozen couplets about the virtues of stay-at-home motherhood, as well as a rhyming list of reasons to believe in God.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
One of the many virtues of the Old Colony Mennonite church is silence.
—Maria Giesbrecht, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtues
Noun
-
According to Keller, one of the most important distinctions people should understand is that policy memoranda do not independently change federal immigration law.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Applying terrorism designations to criminal syndicates, Brazilian officials say, conflicts with domestic legal definitions and risks blurring distinctions underpinning international counterterrorism law.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Plus, having two accomplished sisters has its advantages.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
That disconnect is beginning to create what could become the new trust economy—one in which governance, authentication, transparency and accountability become strategic advantages for the companies in this space, rather than just operational or compliance obstacles.—
Jacques Ledbetter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The company and its advocates would rather debate the merits of one particular study instead of [ShotSpotter parent company] SoundThinking's track record of evading evidence based accountability in Chicago.—
Asal Rezaei,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
There are merits to both approaches, but also considerable risks.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Forecast values calculated by CNBC.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
But now the collapse of values at the top has become untenable.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
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 4 Jun. 2026.
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