CARDINAL VIRTUE Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

cardinal virtue

noun

Definition of cardinal virtue

as in advantage

a quality that gives something special worth the cardinal virtue of wool is that it retains its insulating properties even when wet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 cardinal virtue Tolerance became the cardinal virtue of modern liberalism, but tolerance cannot sustain a civilization. — Carolyn McKinney, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025 Courage, self-discipline, and AI The other two cardinal virtues (there are four in all) are courage and self-discipline. — Andrew Abela, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 Aquinas also noted that each of these four cardinal virtues had several smaller virtues associated with them. — Andrew Abela, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024 Doubt is a cardinal virtue in the sciences, which advance through skeptics’ willingness to question the experts. — Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal virtue

Noun

Koerte says this is where the longevity of Europe’s leading manufacturers could be an advantage.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
The Hawkeyes were held to just 238 yards as Ohio State, which had 484 yards, had almost a 17-minute advantage in time of possession.

— John Bohnenkamp, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of advantage

Noun

New recruits and seasoned officers alike take field trips to the Museum of Tolerance, where trainers extol the virtues of multiculturalism.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Baek Ki-hyeon aspired to walk a path of virtue and provide for their sister through honest means — but his calculating spymaster big brother was never going to let them out of his grasp.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of virtue

Noun

Marriott’s underlying core value of care is just one of the reasons that leaders like Martinez choose to stay with Marriott.

— Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
By merging the two failing car companies, Marchionne created the seventh-largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, increasing Fiat’s value more than tenfold.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of value

Noun

But Ellman, 60, is a very reasonable and moderate Democrat who has received our support in the past and done nothing in our eyes to merit ousting this time around.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Sakol insists the merit-making should be organized around the number nine, which represents good fortune in Thai culture.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of merit

Browse Nearby Words

cardinal

cardinal virtue

cardinal virtues

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cardinal virtue

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

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

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes