VIRTUOUS Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

virtuous

adjective

ˈvər-chə-wəs

Definition of virtuous

as in honorable

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue virtuous behavior is its own reward

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Jillian Gilchrest, the state representative from West Hartford whose campaign has struggled, posted on social media her interpretation the money raised by two of her opponents and made a rickety claim for the most virtuous competitor. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 Penelope, for instance, is depicted in the poem as ever patient and virtuous while waiting for her husband to return. — Brent Lang, Variety, 21 July 2026 White Southerners are victims, and the KKK is made up of virtuous saviors. — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 Medieval women who repaired church vestments and poor people’s clothes were considered virtuous. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for virtuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtuous

Adjective

That work is, in my opinion, as honorable as being a midwife or the kind of doula who helps deliver babies.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
My time in the ministry was filled with hundreds of friendships of men and women of all faiths who were faith-filled and honorable.

— Chick Pritchard, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

For Chinese patients – at least those who can afford the product – the question is less ethical than existential.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Complex international maritime law, competing ownership claims, ethical infighting among academics about how best to approach the undersea historical site, and the immense technical and fiscal costs of recovery have kept its bounty on the sea floor.

— Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of ethical

Adjective

Attracting and training game officials, to be honest, isn’t the job of the CIF office but of the various regional officials associations that assign them.

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
Set in 2009, the film follows two TV reporters forced into a dirty election campaign for a pro-Russian candidate who struggle to stay honest with their work and the people.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

New York has a nice blend of skill and compete in a system that should produce reliable NHL talent but still has a lot of work ahead in this next rebuild.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
As for the rest of the space, the open-concept kitchen’s peninsula and granite countertops are a nice touch, as is the fact that the bedroom is big enough for a king-size mattress and a home office.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

The true spike in demand began showing up in the data this spring, said Daryl Fairweather, Redfin’s chief economist.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
The same was true when the Korean War broke out in June 1950, surprising Americans from shop floors to the Oval Office.

— Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of true

Adjective

Max’s arrival is particularly propitious because Max is still sore from Nathan’s betrayal, so if Max can get on Joe’s good side by respecting his authority, Joe can reward him with the lead position.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
The offense has all the pieces to be one of the league’s best.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of good

Adjective

In this drama of war between the imperial powers, Kip acts as a moral agent.

— Amitava Kumar, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Such requirements can make conversations about significant moral issues – even controversial ones, like the morality of Mangione’s actions – little more than demands for conformity.

— Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of moral

Browse Nearby Words

virtuosos

virtuous

virtuously

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“Virtuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtuous. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of virtuous

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