Definitions

virtuous

[vur-choo-uhs] / ˈvɜr tʃu əs /

ADJECTIVE

good; ethical; innocent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

honest honorable noble principled righteous wholesome

WEAK

blameless celibate chaste clean-living effective effectual efficient excellent exemplary faithful guiltless high-principled in the clear incorruptible inculpable irreprehensible legit moral moralistic on the level on the up and up praiseworthy pure regular right-minded spotless straight true-blue unsullied untainted untarnished up front upright without reproach worthy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bad dishonest

WEAK

sinful unethical vile wicked

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But DePetro may be one of the more virtuous characters here.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

For me, it’s rarely in a virtuous bowl.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

"Our ancestors built the cities. They produced the art and architecture. They built the industry. We stand for what is good, what is virtuous and what is noble."

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

In Matthew’s Gospel the virtuous figure of the parable is the first son, the one who initially refused his father’s instructions but then did his will after all.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

His face was unlined and innocent to the point of being virtuous, a Botticelli in a flight jacket.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Vocabulary lists containing virtuous

"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 1–7

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Thumbs Up: Synonyms for "Good"

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Much Ado About Nothing

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