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 The results have been startling and that over-performance is described by the many players who have been part of it — who typically arrived unknown and undervalued, and departed for big sums that kept the virtuous cycle spinning forward. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025 From this perspective, cutting off those who would limit us, family or otherwise, is cast as a virtuous act in the service of these aspirations. Joshua Coleman, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2025 In my opinion, looking into the healthcare space, business leaders should nurture a virtuous cycle where their innovative product drives sales and the sales team provides the insights needed to refine and expand the product’s capabilities. Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 In a November call, Iger also highlighted the virtuous cycle of Disney. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for virtuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtuous
Adjective
  • Court documents show Blankenship has been employed by the city since 2006 following his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • White Painted Woman was a model of heroism and honorable womanhood: When evil monsters were hunting the Apache people, the White Painted Woman gave birth to a son who would destroy the creatures to help make Earth inhabitable for humanity.
    Alejandra Rubio, NPR, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His relationship evolved from setting firm boundaries to setting ethical guardrails, offering context, and supporting his autonomy with curiosity and love.
    Rebekah Bastian, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Despite all of that, as the legislature enters the final weeks of its spring session, strengthening the state’s ethical safeguards doesn’t appear to be anywhere near the top of the agenda in Springfield.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And, to be honest, her description of the breakup at that time sounded a lot more amicable than it’s been sounding lately.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This was an honest error and was not intentional in any way.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s made of a tarp-like material that feels pretty durable and the lid zippers, which is nice to contain smells.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Ice is not nice The ice at American Airlines Center was a huge problem in Game 2, with players on both teams falling down left and right.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Francis hailed as 'true advocate for peace' In 2019, Francis became the first pontiff to set foot on the peninsula where Islam was born.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Walker will likely need time to develop in the right system, and the Raiders should wait until later to take a true off-ball linebacker.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The forthcoming rain was good news for crews battling a wildfire in central New Jersey that erupted on April 22 and has consumed 12,250 acres.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Okay, top-10 best movie entrance of all time for Blake Lively.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But reading also builds our empathic muscles and challenges our ethical and moral judgment.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Hungary Law Poses Predicament Limbo land: Film and TV makers are facing a moral dilemma in Hungary, which has become a production hotspot thanks to its generous 30% tax rebate that, crucially, pays upfront.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Virtuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtuous. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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