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
Just as personal vices can shape the course of an individual life, so too can national vices influence our collective experience, maybe as much as our virtues—or possibly even more.
—
Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Running is a means of developing all these good virtues and habits.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
The Syclone may not have been fully appreciated during its day, but today, more than 30 years later, enthusiasts have caught onto its major virtues.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
Administration can grow to model the virtues it should be made to preach.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Nevertheless, in the due course of time Truman became as much a fixture to Finney County, Kansas, as are the roadside signs proclaiming its many virtues.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
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, 20 Oct. 2025
Vincent Kompany and his staff have chiselled a perfect role for him, with Diaz contributing not only on an individual basis, but in a way that really accentuates Bayern’s other attacking virtues.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The document recognizes her contributions in the social and cultural spheres and describes her as a role model for her efforts and virtues, the Ecuadorian outlet El Universo reported.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Running is a means of developing all these good virtues and habits.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
The Syclone may not have been fully appreciated during its day, but today, more than 30 years later, enthusiasts have caught onto its major virtues.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
Administration can grow to model the virtues it should be made to preach.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Nevertheless, in the due course of time Truman became as much a fixture to Finney County, Kansas, as are the roadside signs proclaiming its many virtues.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
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, 20 Oct. 2025
Vincent Kompany and his staff have chiselled a perfect role for him, with Diaz contributing not only on an individual basis, but in a way that really accentuates Bayern’s other attacking virtues.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The document recognizes her contributions in the social and cultural spheres and describes her as a role model for her efforts and virtues, the Ecuadorian outlet El Universo reported.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtues
Noun
-
Critics say those distinctions are arbitrary and unfair, being based on outdated assumptions and bad science.—
Kevin Krause,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
To add to the complexity, smoke taint is inflected by subtle distinctions between grape varietals, too.—
Nicola Twilley,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That flexibility is one of the biggest advantages travelers have today.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Those advantages will show up Sunday.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Limbaugh did not rule on the merits of the lawsuit on Friday, but the case could have broader implications on Missouri’s efforts to keep the Royals inside state lines.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
-
To be clear, keeping Dvorak around beyond this season does have its merits.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
So this is to the ones who are sticking to their values in difficult moments.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Money-minded Venus is squaring curative Chiron, pushing you to match your spending habits with your values (without shaming yourself or others).—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virtues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtues. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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