righteous

adjective

ˈrī-chəs How to pronounce righteous (audio)
Definition of righteousnext
1
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue a righteous man can be trusted to act honorably regardless of the circumstances

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honest
following the accepted rules of moral conduct righteous behavior is its own reward

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excellent
slang of the very best kind a nightspot that's a dependable venue for righteous jazz

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective righteous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of righteous are ethical, moral, noble, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

Where would ethical be a reasonable alternative to righteous?

The meanings of ethical and righteous largely overlap; however, ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When would moral be a good substitute for righteous?

Although the words moral and righteous have much in common, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When might noble be a better fit than righteous?

While the synonyms noble and righteous are close in meaning, 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 could virtuous be used to replace righteous?

While in some cases nearly identical to righteous, 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 righteous Some Trump officials continue to suggest this is merely the opening of a negotiation, while the President and others say the new tariff regime is irrevocable and righteous retaliation. —Philip Elliott, Time, 7 Apr. 2025 Hiaasen’s books are animated in equal measure by righteous anger and a penchant for the absurd. —Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025 Yet Jesus becomes angered by the desecration of the temple and begins tipping over the merchants' tables in the holy place while wielding a righteous whip. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 May 2025 The cuts made to the National Park Service, the most righteous government agency in existence. —Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for righteous
  1. honorable
  2. honest
  3. excellent
  4. ethical
  5. noble
  6. wonderful
  7. true
  8. great
Adjective
  • The comparison with Lexus is honorable but not accurate.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • We were honored because our parents were honorable.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • So much of it feels like a fever dream, to be honest, being in Singapore.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 30 May 2025
  • Because spontaneous conversations are harder in a hybrid environment, actively create spaces for honest discussions.
    — Ayaskant Sarangi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Give your wooden nickel to the mixologist, take your pick between La Babia, an excellent margarita, or Three Emmas, grab a book off the shelf, and take a seat.
    — Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2025
  • The enchanting espionage comedy flaunts an excellent Benicio del Toro as a 1950s industrialist, who, after surviving an attempt on his life, names his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) as heir to his empire.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Ever-committed to ethical leadership, sustainable growth, and responsible business practices, Mr. Jitjanuruk imparts these goals on the next generation of financial leaders and the modern fintech industry.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • The controversial transfer has sparked a political furor, with both Democrats and Republicans opposing the luxury jet on ethical grounds.
    — Jade Walker, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • Which one of her books was turned into a 1995 film directed by Ang Lee, from a script written by Emma Thompson? 2 of 5 What is the name of the series that adapts Julia Quinn’s Regency-era romance novels about eight siblings in a noble family and their adventures in London’s high-society world?
    — J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • The Idol was almost a noble failure, a psychically damaging look into the pop ecosystem that had the decency to fictionalize rather than mythologize its star.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Definition of noble
Adjective
  • My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • Your wonderful dog may or may not hanker to break routine and go on holiday.
    — John Oseid, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The young man is at a crossroads between pursuing shallow, glitzy easy money, or being true to his emotional and artistic muses.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 27 May 2025
Definition of true
Adjective
  • The future of Hollywood depends on whether the industry recognizes that its greatest asset isn’t its distribution technology but its storytellers.
    — JD Barker, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
  • The scene, staged at Carnegie Hall, a venue built by one of America’s great 19th century philanthropists, paid tribute to a long tradition of American giving, while pointing to new ways of thinking that are shaping the 21st century.
    — Sam Jacobs, Time, 20 May 2025
Definition of great

Browse Nearby Words

righted
righteous
righteously
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Cite this Entry

“Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/righteous. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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