goodness
noun
good·ness ˈgu̇d-nəs 
1
: the quality or state of being good
2
—used interjectionally or in phrases especially to express mild surprise or shock
oh, my goodness!goodness knows
3
: the nutritious, flavorful, or beneficial part of something
Synonyms
- character
- decency
- honesty
- integrity
- morality
- probity
- rectitude
- righteousness
- rightness
- uprightness
- virtue
- virtuousness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Even if you don't agree, at least have the goodness to be polite! a person of such unaffected goodness that his friends were inspired to lead better lives
Recent Examples on the Web But there also is a modicum of goodness in this news, in knowing that athletes can come forward now in our #MeToo world, that they are empowered to speak out and are being seen and heard and believed. —
Christine Brennan, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2023 Greenies Treat your furry companion to a double dose of goodness with True Acre Foods Dental Sticks. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2023 The shortage has increased demand for backyard farmers to raise flocks for their own supplies of those ovals of goodness. —Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Jan. 2023 Marketers are going to walk away, more and more from these outliers as the downsides are faster and worse than the long tail of goodness. —Michael Gale, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022 Though the world is that way, there is a flower of goodness in every human, and in our Earth. —Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2022 At some point, writers stopped doing that, and thank goodness. —David Owen, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2023 Thank goodness at least one prominent member of the Beltway political establishment seems willing to help prevent a detonation. —James Freeman, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2022 Field doesn’t seem especially interested in that question, and thank goodness. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 19 Nov. 2022 See More
Christine Brennan, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2023 Greenies Treat your furry companion to a double dose of goodness with True Acre Foods Dental Sticks. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2023 The shortage has increased demand for backyard farmers to raise flocks for their own supplies of those ovals of goodness. —Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Jan. 2023 Marketers are going to walk away, more and more from these outliers as the downsides are faster and worse than the long tail of goodness. —Michael Gale, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022 Though the world is that way, there is a flower of goodness in every human, and in our Earth. —Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2022 At some point, writers stopped doing that, and thank goodness. —David Owen, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2023 Thank goodness at least one prominent member of the Beltway political establishment seems willing to help prevent a detonation. —James Freeman, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2022 Field doesn’t seem especially interested in that question, and thank goodness. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 19 Nov. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing goodness
goodness
noun
as in integrity
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong a person of such unaffected goodness that his friends were inspired to lead better lives Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- integrity
- virtue
- morality
- honesty
- rightness
- virtuousness
- righteousness
- character
- rectitude
- ethics
- decency
- morals
- uprightness
- probity
- honor
- incorruptibility
- scrupulousness
- correctness
- seemliness
- fitness
- appropriateness
- propriety
- right-mindedness
- decorum
- high-mindedness
- scrupulosity
- irreproachability
- etiquette
- irreproachableness
- decorousness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- badness
- evil
- wickedness
- villainy
- immorality
- sin
- iniquity
- evildoing
- sinfulness
- depravity
- degradation
- perversion
- indiscretion
- impropriety
- indecency
- debauchery
- degeneracy
- indecorum
- dishonesty
- vileness
- meanness
- crookedness
- unscrupulousness
- corruption
- viciousness
- lowness
- underhandedness
- pervertedness