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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Five years ago, Robert Wallach (Bobby) had an idea that seemed radical: to revolutionize the gig economy by eliminating the distinction between employees and independent contractors.—
Kody Boye,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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Palmer has embraced the distinction, leveraging her position to create opportunities for other women.—
Julia Boorstin,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And people who’ve just moved into senior roles are particularly vulnerable to losing their virtues.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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To Iñárritu, Prieto’s greatest virtue is his flexibility, both stylistic and personal.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
27 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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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had questioned if Brown, an African American man, had moved up the ranks based on race rather than merit.—
Megan Stringer,
Axios,
24 Feb. 2025
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People seemed surprised that a school so renowned for having extremely academic applicants does not award academic merit scholarships.—
Alyce Collins,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal%20virtue. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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