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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Recent Examples of cardinal virtue
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
Breaching tennis’ cardinal virtues of self-sufficiency and autonomy, the coach begins by telling this emotional woman to calm down.
—Jon Wertheim, SI.com, 11 Apr. 2018
Dialogue is one of their cardinal virtues, and most seemed determined to give Trump a hearing.
—Time, 25 Jan. 2018
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
Breaching tennis’ cardinal virtues of self-sufficiency and autonomy, the coach begins by telling this emotional woman to calm down.
—Jon Wertheim, SI.com, 11 Apr. 2018
Dialogue is one of their cardinal virtues, and most seemed determined to give Trump a hearing.
—Time, 25 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal virtue
Noun
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As industries across manufacturing, energy, and logistics embrace this transformation, the stakes for competitive advantage have never been higher.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
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Another avenue for lawsuits against non-generative AI use is legal protections for trade secrets; trade secrets, which provide a competitive business advantage, are not known or shared with the public and reflect efforts designed to keep information secret.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That distinction — great — belongs to the NBA’s true title contenders, a category that remains exclusive.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2025
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Gillett has led with confidence, grace, and distinction, carrying out the exact mandate of our legislative body.—
Rep. Jaime Foster,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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About two dozen trustees serve by virtue of their government office, such as the librarian of Congress, the secretary of state, the mayor of Washington and the speaker and the minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.—
E. Andrew Taylor,
The Conversation,
17 Feb. 2025
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The San Diego Jewish Academy was the 17th seed in the 16-team Division 4 boys bracket, but qualified for the playoffs by virtue of a regular-season win over No. 16 Coastal Academy.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Good value and salesmanship are no longer enough to get in the door.—
Jason Phillips,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Brings a ton of defensive value, defensive versatility, really good baserunner.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Bove concluded his letter by saying that the dismissal wasn’t a comment on the merits of the case and that it would be reevaluated after the mayoral election.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
11 Feb. 2025
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Ford pushed the process forward without really debating the merits of a pardon with his staff.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near cardinal virtue
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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