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by rights

Idioms

Justly, in fairness, as in By rights he should have been chosen first. Originally put as by right, this term was first recorded about 1315.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Those proposals have been criticised by rights groups as inhumane.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

The shots he makes while running into the corners should not, by rights, be landing in.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

She faced internal opposition as the country's first female leader but was initially welcomed by rights groups for easing restrictions on the opposition and media.

From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025

The group cited a report released in May by rights group Amnesty International, which said that at least 10,217 people had been killed since President Bola Tinubu took office two years ago.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025

I’m glad I’m here today, even though it’s a weekend, and by rights I would be getting double time if I were on payroll.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023