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.

A virtuous cycle, three decades in the making.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

He settles on Princess Diana—but for virtuous reasons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

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

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

Most beloved vegetable dishes have a little flourish — one element that tips them from virtuous to irresistible.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

But had I been more obedient, would I in time have become upright and virtuous?

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein