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
Perhaps of even greater concern, ICE’s recruitment efforts appear to deliberately echo white-nationalist rhetoric—bringing in a wave of new agents who are more inspired by MAGA ideology than by the virtues of public service.
—
Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Journalism, my beloved profession, still clings to the virtues of distance and detachment.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Among alpaca’s virtues is its odor resistance.
—Scott Douglas, Outside, 3 Feb. 2026
For all its virtues, Galvagnon tells me the journey to build Captain Arctic was wearisome.
—Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Maybe Albro would raise concerns that the police weren’t doing enough to protect young women’s virtues, or Matthews would criticize the lack of a similar dragnet to find the killer of Mary Tate.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
For four decades, Megadeth have been high priests—not the highest, but close—in a church of metal where technical prowess, breakneck tempos, and sneering attitude are the holiest of virtues.
—Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Wallace, by implication, was concerned with patience, steadfastness, and tranquillity precisely because these virtues often eluded him in life.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Could these kinds of virtues really be good for you?
—Michael Prinzing, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Journalism, my beloved profession, still clings to the virtues of distance and detachment.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Among alpaca’s virtues is its odor resistance.
—Scott Douglas, Outside, 3 Feb. 2026
For all its virtues, Galvagnon tells me the journey to build Captain Arctic was wearisome.
—Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Maybe Albro would raise concerns that the police weren’t doing enough to protect young women’s virtues, or Matthews would criticize the lack of a similar dragnet to find the killer of Mary Tate.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
For four decades, Megadeth have been high priests—not the highest, but close—in a church of metal where technical prowess, breakneck tempos, and sneering attitude are the holiest of virtues.
—Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Wallace, by implication, was concerned with patience, steadfastness, and tranquillity precisely because these virtues often eluded him in life.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Could these kinds of virtues really be good for you?
—Michael Prinzing, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtues
Noun
-
Understanding those distinctions matters.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Working with the Materias, a researcher could follow the trail of a subject through history, philosophy, theology, poetry, the Bible, whatever — freely across categorical distinctions such as author and genre.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cases like this highlight the critical advantages of regulated iGaming, where strict oversight and close coordination with law enforcement protect consumers far more than unregulated alternatives.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Upsets happen but incumbents enjoy advantages in name recognition, money and media attention, said Sara Johnson, a political science lecturer at SMU.—
Karen Brooks Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, judge arguments based on the merits of the underlying facts, and how experts scrupulously interpret those facts.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The court did not assess the merits of the allegations.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Property taxes are based on property values, not income.—
Joe Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Millions of people watch the Olympic Games, and every logo shown on screen sends a message about what aligns with Olympic values, and what the Olympic movement chooses to endorse.—
Ukaleq Slettemark,
Time,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virtues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtues. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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