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 In a virtuous friendship, each individual helps the other become better versions of themselves through encouragement, moral guidance and support. Gregg D. Caruso, The Conversation, 21 May 2025 Saints are persons in heaven who were officially canonized or not who did one of the following, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Lived heroically virtuous lives. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 1 May 2025 The Upshot Of The Trump Executive Order On Student Loan Accreditation Reform In sum, the Trump executive order targeting student loan accreditation reform seeks to create a virtuous cycle for prospective students: higher-quality colleges, better student outcomes, and less onerous debt. Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 But to see who has just this virtuous discretion, voters will need a touch of that wisdom themselves. John Nemec, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for virtuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtuous
Adjective
  • After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Quang enjoyed a successful pharmaceutical sales stint as a top producer for Astra/Merck and then Genentech.
    Quang X. Pham, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • Civil disobedience is honorable; violence is beyond the pale.
    David French, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • The woman's family later filed a lawsuit against Willet and his organization, questioning the circumstances surrounding her death and the legal and ethical oversight — or lack thereof — in her use of the pod, per the outlets.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 3 June 2025
  • Skills like empathy, cultural understanding and ethical decision-making can’t be replicated by algorithms.
    Braden Yuill, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • How can leaders conduct honest conversations without inspiring defensiveness, denial, or backlash?
    Lauren Howe, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • One of those fans, apparently, is singer Ciara, who recently urged the Harlem artist to make Lampkin an honest women after running into the rapper in the BET Awards press room this weekend.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • That this wrap-up happens on the stoop of an apartment building provides a nice callback to Past Lives.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
  • In other words, this is very much a ROG Ally handheld PC but with some nice Xbox touches that will the overall experience feel more like playing an Xbox.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Mosquitoes are a true scourge, responsible for up to one million human deaths per year.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Hoang said the online allegations — none of which were true — led to threats of violence against the university, and there was talk that some parents withdrew their children because of them.
    Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • As good as Trachtenberg is at keeping secrets, this particular one seems unlikely.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 June 2025
  • Then, Bennett, the Panthers best player these playoffs, took a tripping penalty behind the play coming out of the offensive zone.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • That recognized a moral responsibility to try to balance the scales, but the court no longer tries.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
  • And more than any other animal, cats represented to her its moral antithesis: lazy, pompous, interested only in themselves.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Virtuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtuous. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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