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.

“The virtuous cycle of underlying silicon, model improvement, user engagement and monetization continues to compound,” Anmuth said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

“So much of the success, so people thought, was wrapped up in César Chávez being a great leader and a virtuous man,” Garcia said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

He settles on Princess Diana—but for virtuous reasons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

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

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

Shusgis puffed and nodded vigorously in approval of his own opinion, and smiled at me, the smile of one virtuous man to another.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

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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