virtue

noun

ˈvər-(ˌ)chü How to pronounce virtue (audio)
Definition of virtuenext
1
as in distinction
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in morality
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong a lady of honor and virtue

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in heroism
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger a military hero whose virtue inspired a nation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 virtue But even as the characters reflect at length on the virtue of putting themselves out there, their series too often retreats within itself instead. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026 Political violence has become a twisted form of virtue signaling. — Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026 Confession does not guarantee absolution, nor uprightness virtue. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 And yet Trump wants to turn the White House and an outpost on the Potomac into similar citadels, with little regard for why America’s capital city was named for one of its greatest examples of unadorned republican virtue. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for virtue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virtue
  1. distinction
  2. morality
  3. heroism
  4. advantage
  5. integrity
  6. courage
  7. value
  8. honesty
Noun
  • That distinction shows both the opportunity for American technology and the limits imposed by remaining dependencies.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The city institution, which artistic director Robert Drake describes as Georgia's longest-running theater, also holds the distinction of being the first professional theater to integrate both its casts and audience in the southeastern United States.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • The biggest threat to your car was once a coat hanger combined with a questionable sense of morality.
    — Mike McRae October 20, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The ripeness of the material was, for him, in its depiction of morality.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of morality
Noun
  • Iâve always been drawn to exploring the more complex, human side of those experiences rather than simply celebrating the heroism.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • While his photographs capture moments of power, individuality, and almost mythological heroism, the documentary will offer an opportunity to explore the complicated realities behind those images.
    — Robert Lang, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of heroism
Noun
  • Though 57% of voters say the Democratic Party does not have a clear vision for the future, Republicans hold no advantage in this category either, according to a CBS News poll released on Sunday.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Joe Burrow gives the Bengals the quarterback advantage, and the extra preparation strengthens their case.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • The Justice Department aims to send poll monitors to all 50 states in the 2026 midterms, marking an ambitious expansion of a longstanding federal initiative aimed at ensuring election integrity.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But when the firmware itself is compromised, the source and integrity of the update become especially important.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of integrity
Noun
  • Independence gave us the courage to cross the last threshold.
    — Amelia Rose Barlow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Michael Haneke’s adaptation of The Piano Teacher gives me courage.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • The federal government was preparing to change its rules on low-value imports, threatening her ability to purchase cheaper prescription medications for blood thinning and heart failure from Canada.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That’s 35% of the value of the S&P 500 and the highest concentration in a handful of stocks since just before the crash of 1929.
    — Ming Lu, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of value
Noun
  • Listen to their thoughts, then speak with hope, honesty and kindness.
    — Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The genre will continue to preserve the emotional honesty of its lyrics, which have traditionally focused on love.
    — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of honesty

Phrases Containing virtue

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virtually
virtue
virtueless
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Cite this Entry

“Virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtue. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on virtue

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about virtue

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