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

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
Compassion was the chief currency, with noble attempts to make people as comfortable and pain-free as possible in their final days. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Actor and producer Vidyut Jammwal will play the noble — and limb-stretching — Dhalsim in the upcoming Street Fighter adaptation. Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
This observation was recorded in part by a Japanese noble named Fujiwara no Sadaie in his diary, entitled Meigetsuki. Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026 One historic pad in London, England, is ready to welcome nobles of the present day. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for noble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noble
Adjective
  • My father, a boy, sat in the back seat with his brothers and Choute—Duchess of Montmoreau, née de Troguindy, a beautiful and aristocratic woman who went by this single childhood nickname.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
  • News articles and photos of the casual picnic enamored Americans, transforming their view of the royals as rigid and aristocratic to more down-to-earth.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After Marcus’s ground ball, everybody took great at-bats.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Cherry blossoms great guests at the front foyer.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Motherhood is a beautiful and honorable calling.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
  • Mfume has served Maryland for many years in a distinguished and honorable way.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Everyone’s soft gazes soon hardened as the magnificent baby with so many rolls and love handles proved to be all unsightly flab.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • However, Antalya’s resort-style atmosphere, magnificent beaches, and calmer surroundings help patients recover as if on holiday.
    K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • There is great teaching going on, the principal is wonderful.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Claire has been an advocate for courageous stories, an expert at complicated logistics and a wonderful partner to teams across the entire news division.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Presidential Scholars program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • Mfume has served Maryland for many years in a distinguished and honorable way.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Intriguingly, the 140 selections on view, ranging from vases to books, Buddhist figurines to landscape painting, literati desk accessories to official portraiture, look nothing at all like the art favored by European aristocrats arrayed elsewhere in the Art Institute.
    Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • In 1811 it was converted into a hotel and became the go-to destination for those on the Grand Tour, the journey across continental Europe that young aristocrats undertook to perfect their education.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Montgomery hit a solo shot in the fifth, helping the Sox to a season-high fourth consecutive victory in front of a sellout crowd of 43,638 at Petco Park.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • Senior Nick Testa had a team-high three goals and six assists to help lift the host Scots past Pine Crest 15-7 in a 1A regional final on Friday night.
    Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noble. Accessed 8 May. 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