NOBLE Synonyms: 418 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

noble 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnō-bəl

Definition of noble next

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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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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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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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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as in wonderful

of the very best kind a noble racehorse

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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

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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

Our noble forefathers consented to hang anyone who messed with the currency. —

Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 Objectivity in journalism is a noble goal, but, like everything else, it’s shaped by some mix of cultural trends, audience preferences, and technology. —

Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025

Noun

Lafayette was a French noble who had volunteered his service to the Continental Army during the American Revolution and won the trust of George Washington. —

Elizabeth M. Reese / Made By History, TIME, 26 Nov. 2024 One of the most eyebrow-raising anachronisms involves the scene in which a Roman noble is shown sipping tea in a cafe while reading the morning newspaper … 1,200 years before the invention of the printing press. —

Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for noble

Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble

Adjective

Central France has been occupied off and on for thousands of years, by aristocratic families to nomadic tribes.

— Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
According to Creighton and his co-authors, there has been quite a lot of research on castles, which dominated aristocratic sites in England after the Norman Conquest.

— Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Jan. 2025