cardinal virtue

noun

Definition of cardinal virtuenext
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

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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
  1. advantage
  2. distinction
  3. virtue
  4. value
  5. merit
Noun
  • Ohio polling raises questions Advertisement As polling consistently shows an advantage for Acton, Republicans are increasingly arguing that the polls may be wrong by just enough to give Ramaswamy the win.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Firms that know exactly where the line sits hold quiet advantages their competitors cannot purchase or replicate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • This distinction is especially important for companies whose supply chains involve multiple countries, with raw materials, components, and finished goods crossing borders at different stages.
    — Shannon Hynds, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Advertisement Yet experts say the distinction between the two systems is not always clear, particularly given how closely their underlying technology and operations are connected.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • The nod to purity emphasized the paint brand’s relationship to cleanliness and virtue, and possibly other notions of bigotry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • For Monday meditation, the teaching group has assigned the 10 paramis (spiritual virtues) of Buddhism, which explore topics like generosity, wisdom and patience.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • The agreement includes an option that could increase its total value to approximately $91 million, further expanding American industrial involvement in the programme.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Part of Borromeo’s mandate was to tighten the product assortment, boost the company’s profitability and return it back to its foundational values and DNA.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of value
Noun
  • But the appeals court has not yet ruled on the legal merits of the White House's ban targeting AP journalists.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Under the change, applications would be sorted into three broad categories of merit, while their overall score, as determined by a panel of experts, would remain a secret.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of merit

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Cite this Entry

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

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