virtuous

adjective

ˈvər-chə-wəs How to pronounce virtuous (audio)
Definition of virtuousnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 The virtuous behaviors in the middle column influence sustained excellence and human flourishing. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Love, in these movies, emerges as a virtuous vegetable. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for virtuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtuous
  1. honorable
  2. ethical
  3. honest
  4. nice
  5. true
  6. good
  7. moral
Adjective
  • Michael Roth, the president of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, has taken the harder and more honorable route.
    — John T. Shaw, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • Our leadership spends its time implying anyone with origins south of our border is less than honorable and must be deported regardless of their contributions, just to feel powerful.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Definition of honorable
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
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • Be honest about systems that are no longer serving their purpose.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The production noted how the work has continued to resonate with readers over the past decade, for its honest depiction of trauma recovery and the power of self-empowerment and love.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • 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
  • And, the embroidery on the pillowcases adds a nice touch.
    — Shalwah Evans, People.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of nice
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
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Chef-owner Miguel Angel Jimenez is well worth consulting for the night’s specials and a wine from the impressively deep good list.
    — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • But that wasn’t enough for a gambler who watched him best Paul Skenes.
    — Maria Torres, New York Times, 15 July 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • This gap is a moral issue and a missed opportunity.
    — Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
  • Human decision making includes context, experience and moral reasoning.
    — Haider Ali, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of moral

Browse Nearby Words

virtuosos
virtuous
virtuously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Virtuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtuous. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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