virtuously

/ˈvɜːtʃuəsli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈvɜːrtʃuəsli/ (ame, ipa)

virtuously — adverb

1. with conduct that reflects honesty, self-control, or concern for other people.

1.副詞C2
釋義

with conduct that reflects honesty, self-control, or concern for other people.

例句

Elise returned the extra change virtuously instead of keeping it.

moral action in an everyday situation

Baraka cared for his sick uncle virtuously through the long winter.

同義詞
  • morally

    broader and more neutral; it can describe judgments or principles, not only admirable conduct

  • uprightly

    stresses honesty and fairness, especially in dealing with other people

  • honorably

    often emphasizes duty, fairness, or public integrity rather than personal purity

  • selflessly

    focuses specifically on putting other people first, so it is narrower than 'virtuously'

反義詞
  • selfishly

    puts personal advantage ahead of moral duty or other people's needs

  • dishonorably

    suggests conduct that is shameful or morally wrong

  • corruptly

    used when someone acts in a dishonest or morally damaged way for gain

文法句型

act + virtuously

behave + virtuously

verb + virtuously + in/after + situation

用法筆記

Usually used in formal, literary, or religious writing rather than ordinary conversation. It often describes conduct linked to honesty, charity, duty, or sexual purity.

常見錯誤

❌She virtually donated half her pay to the shelter.
✅She virtuously donated half her pay to the shelter.
💡'virtually' means 'almost' or 'in effect', not 'in a morally good way'.
❌He virtuously finished the report before lunch.
✅He dutifully finished the report before lunch.
💡use 'virtuously' only when the action suggests moral goodness, not just ordinary responsibility.

2. in a smug way that shows off your own moral correctness, as if other people have

2.副詞C2
釋義

in a smug way that shows off your own moral correctness, as if other people have lower standards.

例句

After skipping dessert, Christopher smiled virtuously at everyone else at the table.

critical tone after 'doing the right thing'

Mert spoke virtuously about cycling to work and blamed his friends for driving.

pattern: speak virtuously about + topic

同義詞
  • self-righteously

    the closest match; it directly names the attitude of feeling morally superior

  • smugly

    broader and less moral; it can describe any self-satisfied attitude

  • piously

    can overlap when someone displays virtue in an affected religious or moral way

反義詞
  • humbly

    shows no desire to advertise moral superiority

  • modestly

    suggests a quiet attitude without self-congratulation

文法句型

speak + virtuously

smile + virtuously

virtuously + that-clause

用法筆記

This sense is usually critical, not approving. It is used when someone seems pleased with their own moral behavior and wants other people to notice it. Distinguish from sense 1, which simply describes genuinely good conduct.

常見錯誤

❌The article said she spoke virtuously to the volunteers.
✅The article said she spoke kindly to the volunteers.
💡this sense is negative, suggesting smug moral pride rather than praise.
❌He smiled virtuously because he felt calm.
✅He smiled serenely because he felt calm.
💡'virtuously' in this sense is about moral superiority, not peaceful emotion.