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
There was nothing remotely polarizing in a gig that everything to do with classic virtues.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 19 June 2026
Rather than maintaining aristocratic distance, Nero linked his public image to the virtues and popularity of spectacle.
—Scott Atran, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Honeywell is following in the footsteps of 3M, Danaher, GE, and United Technologies — companies that once preached the virtues of a diversified portfolio but have concluded that value now comes from focus.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 12 June 2026
As progressives have begun to fear that the American system might in fact be lost, many have rediscovered its virtues.
—Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
Decades later, some of the biggest criticisms of Communion are arguably among its most charming virtues, from Walken's idiosyncratic performance as a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown to the cheesy special effects.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Through its characters, the book stages an argument about the virtues of various types of maps—those that are measured, those that are recollected, those that are dreamed.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
There’s Mallory McMorrow, a moderate technocrat who preaches the virtues of reaching across the aisle and keeping her own party’s tent roomy.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026
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
Chris Willman, Variety, 19 June 2026
Rather than maintaining aristocratic distance, Nero linked his public image to the virtues and popularity of spectacle.
—Scott Atran, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Honeywell is following in the footsteps of 3M, Danaher, GE, and United Technologies — companies that once preached the virtues of a diversified portfolio but have concluded that value now comes from focus.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 12 June 2026
As progressives have begun to fear that the American system might in fact be lost, many have rediscovered its virtues.
—Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
Decades later, some of the biggest criticisms of Communion are arguably among its most charming virtues, from Walken's idiosyncratic performance as a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown to the cheesy special effects.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Through its characters, the book stages an argument about the virtues of various types of maps—those that are measured, those that are recollected, those that are dreamed.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
There’s Mallory McMorrow, a moderate technocrat who preaches the virtues of reaching across the aisle and keeping her own party’s tent roomy.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtues
Noun
-
Other states make distinctions between felony and misdemeanor violations based on things like how much money was involved.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
In one of its many distinctions from other festivals, Ojai stays fresh by yearly changing music directors and for its 80th anniversary Esa-Pekka Salonen returned after a quarter-century absence.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
Comparatively long engagement range One of the Hornet Block 1’s key advantages is its comparatively long engagement range, reported to exceed 75 kilometers.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
-
The 2026 edition is unique because those advantages have effectively been shared among three teams as this is the first time in World Cup history one tournament has been played in three countries.—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Wilkins was quick to defend her participation and her merits as a musical act.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
24 June 2026
-
Cases granted certiorari move onto the merits stage.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
Noun
-
The artist was beloved by Americans for his intimate portrayals of the country’s values.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
-
Talarico’s faith is distinct from the Catholicism that Vice President JD Vance embraced in 2019, which sees a central place for Christianity in American life that’s focused on traditional social values like family formation — not social justice.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
24 June 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Virtues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtues. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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