noble 1 of 2

Definition of noblenext
1
2
3
4
5
6

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Named after the Frankish noble family that included Charles Martel and his grandson Charlemagne, the Carolingian era was a transformative time in medieval Europe, where power was consolidated and regional cultures began to blend. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026 As for that noble Iranian game, chess. Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
Jonathan Richardson the Elder apprenticed under John Riley, the court painter of English king William of Orange, and made a fine living as a portrait painter of various nobles and notables throughout the first half of the 1700s. Literary Hub, 22 Dec. 2025 Based on Julia Quinn's beloved book series, the Netflix series centers on its namesake family of lovestruck nobles, with each season highlighting the romantic exploits of a different Bridgerton. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • The poisoning of a champion stallion opens an investigation that starts to expose tensions and secrets inside an aristocratic horse breeding dynasty.
    Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The series begins with her and Jolyon’s wedding, and Francis certainly thinks that her six-episode season will be about ensuring her family’s ascendency into aristocratic society by finding a suitable match for her daughter June (Justine Emma Moore).
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But simply naming the great fear and sharing it with the millions of watchers in living rooms and hotels and airport lobbies was a trial almost too painful to contemplate.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • No substitutions for prize except by Sponsor, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be substituted.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The people in Japan are so honorable.
    Matt Bomer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Third team Gonzaga senior Graham Ike, an honorable-mention pick two years ago, earned third-team honors this season.
    Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The journey is a true adventure that includes moderate to challenging hikes, but the reward is a wild, unspoiled jungle with magnificent wildlife encounters—Osa Peninsula hosts approximately 50% of all of the species found in Costa Rica.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Bring part of that magnificent collection of art to the community.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The teams got invaluable data — and some wonderful video too.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Books Are Magic, a wonderful bookshop owned by novelist Emma Staub, alone could suck up an entire morning.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • About Christopher Jackson Jackson has built a distinguished Broadway career spanning nearly three decades.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Each episode offers intimate, in-depth conversations with distinguished voices from across the literary landscape—about their lives, their work, and the ideas that shape both.
    Jarrett Earnest, The New York Review of Books, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Elsa Luisa Maria Schiaparelli is born in Rome, the second of two daughters of a Neapolitan aristocrat, Giuseppa Maria de Dominicis, and Celestino Schiaparelli, a scholar from Piedmont who was appointed head of the Lincei Library in the Palazzo Corsini by King Victor Emmanuel II.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The Catholic king, James II, was bitterly opposed by the Protestant aristocrats, who feared Catholic domination and French influence.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • An assembly of planets moves through your ninth house, putting travel, expansion, and higher purpose at the center of your month.
    Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Strus went on to enter halftime with a game-high 22 points.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on noble

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster