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

Within righteous anger flooding the comments on these artists’ social media pages are more than a few folks who point out that the United States is no bastion of justice and ethics these days, either.

From Salon

And it reassures followers that their cause is righteous – even cosmic.

From Salon

Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein” “The ding on Sean Penn is that he’s gotten too self-serious. What a treat to see him channel his righteous energy into ‘One Battle After Another’s’ loathsome, hilarious villain.

From Los Angeles Times

Kirk was known for melding his conservative politics, nationalism and evangelical faith, casting the current political climate as a state of spiritual warfare between a righteous right wing and so-called godless liberals.

From Los Angeles Times

Kirk is known for melding his conservative politics, nationalism and evangelical faith, casting the current political climate as a state of spiritual warfare between a righteous right wing and “evil” liberals.

From 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!