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Some common synonyms of virtuous<\/em> are ethical<\/em><\/a>, moral<\/em><\/a>, noble<\/em><\/a>, and righteous<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"conforming to a standard of what is right and good,\" virtuous<\/em> implies moral excellence in character.<\/p>

\/\/ not a religious person, but virtuous<\/em> nevertheless<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'ethical' take the place of 'virtuous'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to virtuous<\/em>, ethical<\/em><\/a> may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.<\/p>

\/\/ committed to the highest ethical<\/em> principles<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'moral' be used to replace 'virtuous'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms moral<\/em><\/a> and virtuous<\/em> are close in meaning, moral<\/em> implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.<\/p>

\/\/ the basic moral<\/em> values of a community<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'noble' be used instead of 'virtuous'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words noble<\/em><\/a> and virtuous<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, noble<\/em> implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.<\/p>

\/\/ had the noblest<\/em> of reasons for seeking office<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'righteous' be a reasonable alternative to 'virtuous'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words righteous<\/em><\/a> and virtuous<\/em> have much in common, righteous<\/em> stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.<\/p>

\/\/ wished to be righteous<\/em> before God and the world<\/p>" } } ] }

virtuous

adjective

ˈvÉ™r-chÉ™-wÉ™s 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 The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026 For more than a century, academics identified this statue as conveying a calm, neat, and virtuous masculinity. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 10 Mar. 2026 Why are producers and audiences alike so certain that Austen and her beloved proto-feminist heroine, Lizzy Bennet—lively, astute, sometimes cutting, not always virtuous—still have more to say beyond the page? —Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026 Achieving a virtuous cycle linking wages, consumption and prices is a key condition that would allow the central bank to continue normalizing policy with rate increases. —Erica Yokoyama, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026 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
  • Third team Gonzaga senior Graham Ike, an honorable-mention pick two years ago, earned third-team honors this season.
    — Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The result feels less trend-driven and more back-to-basics—in an honorable, sure-of-itself sort of way.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • Douglas said some providers fear losing positions or facing consequences for refusing to treat patients or perform actions that violate their ethical principles.
    — Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Both parties are vying for the ethical high ground before the November elections.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • Academically, no; the call for honest and accurate citation of one’s sources will, and must, ring out as forcefully as ever.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The show was described as an honest look at an oft-misunderstood job, according to an application for film incentives submitted to the state in May 2025 and reviewed by The News.
    — Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Google's $499 Pixel 10a feels a whole lot nicer to use.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Phase One currently is centered on a music theater that (from the point of view of the city) is very much in the nice-to-have-but-fully-served-elsewhere category and on a hotel, which is more promising but still less beneficial when compared with housing.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • To show our simple skill, That is the true beginning of our end.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Courts often look to rulings in other jurisdictions to guide decisions, even if those precedents aren’t binding, according to Reyes, who said this is especially true in new legal fields like climate litigation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Read on to learn more like when is best to eat it and how to supercharge it.
    — Jahnavi Rapaka, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The petition's withdrawal is good news for the many neighbors who spoke out against the annexation.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of good
Adjective
  • That shift in language away from moral framing around food reflects something practitioners and researchers have long advocated for, and consumers are now arriving there on their own terms.
    — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
  • But many seemingly urbane texts also benefited from the intellectual and moral coarseness of their times.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
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 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of virtuous for Spanish Speakers

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