Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective virtuous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of virtuous are ethical, moral, noble, and righteous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

In what contexts can ethical take the place of virtuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to virtuous, ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When could moral be used to replace virtuous?

While the synonyms moral and virtuous are close in meaning, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When can noble be used instead of virtuous?

In some situations, the words noble and virtuous are roughly equivalent. However, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Where would righteous be a reasonable alternative to virtuous?

Although the words righteous and virtuous have much in common, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of virtuous Wraps were—in marketing, if not always in reality—lower-calorie and lower-carb than normal sandwiches, all that pillowy, delicious bread having been replaced with a utilitarian tortilla forgery that tasted and looked virtuous, especially when it was flecked with spinach or tomato. Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025 This creates a virtuous cycle where clean transportation adoption supports renewable energy deployment, which in turn reduces the entire transport system’s carbon intensity. Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 This combination of recycling and increasing efficiency makes for a kind of mind-blowing virtuous cycle. Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025 This can create a virtuous cycle where models get more and more capable as the training process continues. ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for virtuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtuous
Adjective
  • Law enforcement really is an honorable profession that serves the community at whole very well.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Just continue to guide your daughter toward honorable behavior.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Improving transparency starts with a commitment to open communication, ethical leadership, and meaningful public engagement.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
  • One of the employees expressed a desire for an ethical framework much like the one Cakarel laid out on Thursday, as well as the company taking a stand against Maguire’s comments.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Naturally, romantic commitments could become affected by the trajectory of your professional goals, so be honest with yourself.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The project intends to empower Californians to engage in honest discussions, according to its mission statement.
    Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Both Trejo and Crowley rode in the 2025 Centennial Tucson Rodeo, a nice mirroring of the agency’s own 100-year history.
    Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The in-between woman has a nice corporate job in a nice corporate office.
    Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Whether that’s actually true or people just like to complain more 21 years after the original’s finale is certainly up for similar debate.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The true sign of where the competition stands will come if Walker participates fully when the other starters are healthy, too.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • His best figures of 4-19 came in a fiery spell against Worcestershire.
    Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025
  • But in general, if your heart age is younger than your actual age—or, just a couple years older—that’s a good sign, Khan said.
    Kristen Fischer, Health, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Those who violate the law should answer for it, but those who are charged with enforcing the law have the moral responsibility to do so humanely, fairly and justly.
    David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Other professors believe that moral appeals may still have teeth.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Virtuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtuous. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on virtuous

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