noble 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnō-bəl How to pronounce noble (audio)
Definition of noblenext
1
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station despite his noble background, the prince is known for his unpretentious way with common people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in great
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature the factory owner had a kind, noble disposition that showed in his unstinting generosity toward the poor our country was founded on the noble ideas that are put forth in the Founding Fathers' writings

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3
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct his noble behavior even as he was being unjustly attacked by his political opponents

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4
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception Peter the Great's plan to build for Russia a capital city as noble as any in Europe

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5
as in wonderful
of the very best kind a noble racehorse

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6
as in distinguished
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a noble professor known internationally for his medical research

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noble

2 of 2

noun

as in aristocrat
a man or woman of high birth or social position an elite school for children of nobles

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective noble differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of noble are ethical, moral, righteous, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

When might ethical be a better fit than noble?

The synonyms ethical and noble are sometimes interchangeable, but ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

Where would moral be a reasonable alternative to noble?

While the synonyms moral and noble are close in meaning, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When can righteous be used instead of noble?

Although the words righteous and noble have much in common, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

When could virtuous be used to replace noble?

The words virtuous and noble can be used in similar contexts, but virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

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 noble
Adjective
Columbus was eventually cleared of the most serious charges, but was stripped of his noble titles. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 The bones are impressive, with rare, double frontage onto two canals, and countless freschi, mosaics and other historic holdovers from its centuries as a noble home. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
The country’s nobles eventually surrendered in exchange for being allowed to keep their lands (some of them may have done so with their fingers crossed). — ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026 Within a few years, Edward and some of the York nobles were at odds, and the throne briefly returned to Henry VI. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
  1. aristocratic
  2. great
  3. honorable
  4. magnificent
  5. wonderful
  6. distinguished
  7. aristocrat
  8. high
Adjective
  • Taylor, who reportedly bought his aristocratic title on the internet, was jailed for three years for selling a fake painting by the British artist Lowry through auction house Bonhams.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Similarly, after the traumas of the Civil War and Reconstruction, some Southern writers emphasized aberrant behavior to undercut the aristocratic whitewash of gentility and custom.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of aristocratic
Adjective
  • But this is in fact the opportunity hiding inside the greatest technological acceleration of our lifetimes.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • This scandal comes as an appalling blow to the BND, and Germany as a whole, at a time of great danger.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • Central to the exhibition is the tension between the honorable and the immoral, the appealing and the revolting.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Dealing with the British, his Tenzing is scrupulous and honorable, but don’t confuse that with subservience.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • Omaanda is among a handful of smart new lodges upping the game amid the remote and magnificent landscapes of Namibia, a rising star on the African safari circuit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Teddy bears and trains, baseballs and dolls dance through the air into Santa's enormous sack, which sits at Santa's feet, or rather Harry's, who is perched high on the throne at the back of the float, magnificent in white whiskers and red velvet.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of magnificent
Adjective
  • Bruna is fantastic, and Alison is a wonderful producer with a great eye.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
  • It is carefully crafted and wincingly sincere, a wonderful conversion of inversions.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Al Sharpton Al Sharpton is a minister, activist, and one of the nation’s most distinguished leaders in the fight against injustice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Brown and Martin have also each earned the IBMA’s distinguished achievement award.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Noun
  • Legal recognition of the country’s nobility stopped in 1946 and for aristocrats such as Princess Giacinta Ruspoli, upkeep of the family’s ancestral homes doesn’t come cheap.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The restaurant is named for India’s zamindars — the feudal landlords who held power as aristocrats for centuries — and the lush and opulent space shows it, decked out with Indian art, heritage architectural touches, brass accents and warm lighting.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of aristocrat
Adjective
  • The View From Midland Despite the year’s geopolitical turmoil, there’s a newfound sense of economic stability in Midland that, for the first time in the city’s history, doesn’t seem to depend on sustained high oil prices.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Another was that lower government spending for public health programs was leading to higher costs for private sector plans.
    — Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of high

Browse Nearby Words

nobility
noble
nobleman
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Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on noble

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about noble

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