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.

As mayor he was criticised by rights groups for using the police against street vendors in a heavy-handed manner, as he worked to keep roads clear in the capital and crack down on unlicensed businesses.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

"Enough with the lies," she exclaimed, alluding to the figures issued by rights groups.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had been told that "executions" had stopped in Iran, amid reports by rights groups that Iranian authorities were brutally supressing protests against the government.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

The move has been criticised by rights groups, and came despite a temporary block issued by a judge.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2025

He was done with disobedience from his son, done with the wanderings and false boundaries of the girl who was his by rights.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

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