virtuous
Of high character
Virtuous describes someone who embodies moral excellence—honest, upright, principled.
A virtuous person acts rightly even when no one is watching.
The word often implies adherence to traditional values: a virtuous life, virtuous conduct.
It can sound slightly old-fashioned or ironic when applied to minor behaviors: How virtuous of you to recycle.
A virtuous circle is a chain of events where each positive outcome reinforces the next.
Moral soundness and consistency
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- moralConcerning right conduct
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
scrupulous · honest · just · fair · trustworthy · honorable · decent · righteous
Deeply religious, sincere
- godlyDeeply religious in character
- saintlyMorally pure, devout
- holyDedicated to the divine
- piousFaithfully devoted to worship
reverent · faithful · spiritual · religious · sacred · blessed · sanctified · righteous
Having high moral standards
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- valiantCourageously determined
- heroicExceptionally brave and noble
- courageousShowing bravery under threat
chivalrous · dignified · high-minded · lofty · gentlemanly · ladylike · knightly · courtly
Abstaining from sex
- abstinentRefraining from pleasures
- modestLacking in pretension
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
- virginalUnsullied or inexperienced
innocent · wholesome · decent · restrained · unblemished · unsullied · immaculate · continent
Concerned for others' welfare
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- charitableGiving to those needing
- generousWilling to give freely
- kindType or caring
selfless · philanthropic · magnanimous · benevolent · warmhearted · caring · sympathetic · merciful
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- moralConcerning right conduct
conscientious · scrupulous · honest · just · fair · trustworthy · honorable · decent · righteous · incorruptible
devout
Deeply religious, sincere
pious · reverent · faithful · spiritual · religious · sacred · blessed · sanctified · righteous · moralistic
honorable
Having high moral standards
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- valiantCourageously determined
- heroicExceptionally brave and noble
courageous · chivalrous · dignified · high-minded · lofty · gentlemanly · ladylike · knightly · courtly · stately
celibate
Abstaining from sex
virginal · innocent · wholesome · decent · restrained · unblemished · unsullied · immaculate · continent · monastic
altruistic
Concerned for others' welfare
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- charitableGiving to those needing
- generousWilling to give freely
kind · selfless · philanthropic · magnanimous · benevolent · warmhearted · caring · sympathetic · merciful · humanitarian
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude
- innocenceinnocent, innocence, purity, pure, blameless
- moral judgmentsgood, evil, wicked, moral, wrong
- Noble Qualitieshonor, courage, integrity, kindness, generosity
- positive qualitieskindness, honesty, integrity, goodness, benevolence
- virtuousrighteous, moral, upright, pure, holy
virtuouspromiscuous
Sexually undiscriminating
unchaste · licentious · libertine · wanton · lewd
virtuouscorrupt
Dishonest, open to bribes
dishonest · unethical · dishonorable · unscrupulous · crooked
- virtuous circlesSelf-amplifying positive dynamics
- virtuous cycleSelf-perpetuating beneficial pattern
- piano virtuosoMaster of the keys
- guitar virtuoso
- virtuoso performanceDisplay of exceptional skill
- virtuous lifeExistence guided by ethics