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 This can create a virtuous cycle where models get more and more capable as the training process continues. ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025 To be virtuous, to live a virtuous life, to continually educate yourself is what was required to sustain this republic. CBS News, 6 July 2025 Advancing conservation—through MPAs as well as a host of complementary policies and data collection efforts—supports economies and scientific research in a virtuous cycle. Dona Bertarelli, Time, 30 June 2025 The film winds to a close with the police chief and the biologist, the two out-of-towners, triumphantly swimming to shore as the sun rises on a new Amity, replacing Benchley’s original paean to the virtuous American worker with the film’s implicit antipopulism. Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for virtuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtuous
Adjective
  • Its own sly twist casts Robert Mitchum—the original Cady—as the elderly, honorable police lieutenant Elgart, and Gregory Peck, 1962’s Bowden, as Cady’s defense attorney.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 July 2025
  • To this attack, some men have responded by lending their support to individuals that embody none of those honorable traits that men aspire to internalize.
    Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Judges must prepare to spot obvious AI red flags Until courts figure out how to navigate AI—a process that may look different from court to court—Browning advocates for more education and ethical guidance for judges to steer their use and attitudes about AI.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025
  • Similarly, the ethical OM Project line from 1997 and 1998 was forward-looking.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is a great way to spot medical fraud or an honest human error like a miscoding of services.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • He’s been honest and realistic with his teammates about it.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • And, the embroidery on the pillowcases adds a nice touch.
    Shalwah Evans, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • The units also vary in shape: the cube is nice for nightstands, while the wider grand size works well on large dressers.
    Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • This was certainly true of the Mets last summer when Taylor played his way into the lineup more consistently than Harrison Bader.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 July 2025
  • This rings especially true for me, a vegetarian for nearly two decades.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • The cocktails are classic and the wine list is so good that it's been lauded by Wine Spectator magazine.
    Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
  • Despite that, the Lyriq-V’s looks, comfort and features are as good as anything on the road.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Human decision making includes context, experience and moral reasoning.
    Haider Ali, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • This gap is a moral issue and a missed opportunity.
    Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Virtuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtuous. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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