VIRTUOUS Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

virtuous

adjective

ˈvər-chə-wəs

Definition of virtuous

as in honorable

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue virtuous behavior is its own reward

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Jillian Gilchrest, the state representative from West Hartford whose campaign has struggled, posted on social media her interpretation the money raised by two of her opponents and made a rickety claim for the most virtuous competitor. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 Penelope, for instance, is depicted in the poem as ever patient and virtuous while waiting for her husband to return. — Brent Lang, Variety, 21 July 2026 White Southerners are victims, and the KKK is made up of virtuous saviors. — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 Medieval women who repaired church vestments and poor people’s clothes were considered virtuous. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for virtuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtuous

Adjective

Initially receiving a general discharge, Matlovich’s status was later elevated to honorable.

— USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
From Prime Minister Mark Carney’s standpoint, Canada had no honorable alternative.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Talarico is hoping to raise further ethical questions about Paxton by publicizing the Unity Resources case.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of ethical

Adjective

The true main event will pit top AEW star Mercedes Mone against Willow Nightingale in yet another women’s world title match that will not go on last.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Unlocking the true nature of dark energy and dark matter could help astronomers understand what the universe is made of, how its expansion has changed over time, and if there is more to understanding gravity than meets the eye.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of true

Adjective

Framed as an ensemble drama rather than the story of a single heroic whistleblower, the production compresses Ibsen’s plot, reimagines the ending and leans into satire without sacrificing moral bite.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Commentators hungry for superstar validation of their culture war were calling her silence a moral failure, and some of them were the same people who, in previous news cycles, had insisted that athletes needed to shut up.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of moral

Browse Nearby Words

virtuosos

virtuous

virtuously

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Virtuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtuous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of virtuous

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes