righteous

[rahy-chuhs]

adjective

1. characterized by uprightness or morality.

   a righteous observance of the law.

2. morally right or justifiable.

   righteous indignation.

3. acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous.

   a righteous and godly person.

   Synonyms: right, fair, honest, good
   Antonyms: wicked, evil

4. Slang.,  absolutely genuine or wonderful.

   some righteous playing by a jazz great.

noun

1. (used with a plural verb),  the righteous, righteous persons collectively.

righteous

/ ˈraɪtʃəs /

adjective

1. 1. characterized by, proceeding from, or in accordance with accepted standards of morality, justice, or uprightness; virtuous

      a righteous man

   2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the )

      the righteous

2. morally justifiable or right, esp from one's own point of view

   righteous indignation

Other Word Forms

• righteously adverb
• overrighteous adjective
• overrighteously adverb
• overrighteousness noun
• prerighteous adjective
• prerighteously adverb
• prerighteousness noun
• quasi-righteous adjective
• quasi-righteously adverb
• superrighteous adjective
• superrighteously adverb
• superrighteousness noun
• righteousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of righteous¹

First recorded before 900; earlier rightwos, rightwis (remodeled with -ous ), Middle English; Old English rihtwīs; right, wise ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of righteous¹

Old English rīhtwīs , from _right + _wise ²

Example Sentences

May Catholics remind their fellow Americans anew of how powerful and righteous standing up for the stranger is.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the righteous spirit of a man bearing an inconvenient truth, Greg Lippmann, a copy of “Shorting Subprime Mezzanine Tranches” tucked under his arm, launched himself at the institutional investing public.

Read more on Literature

He argued with righteous tenacity that Southerners could be convinced to relinquish their slaves by means of patient “moral suasion.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

From ten Boom and other “righteous Gentiles,” evangelicals learned that being a good Christian meant defending Jews.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Proposition 50, which aims to deliver Democrats at least five more House seats in the 2026 midterm election, is either righteous payback or a grubby power grab.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conscientious 
• ethical 
• honorable 
• law-abiding 
• noble 
• pure 
• spiritual 
• upright 
• virtuous 

When To Use

What does righteous mean?

Righteous is an adjective that means virtuous, honorable, or morally right.Being righteous means doing what is right—obeying the law or adhering to morals. It is often used in a religious context.Example: It’s not easy to engage in righteous behavior—in fact, if an action is difficult to take, it’s probably right!