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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

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

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

After getting outclassed for an hour and trailing 1-0 when by rights it should have been two or three, how did Scotland win this monumentally befuddling World Cup qualifier 3-1?

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

"We are free men, and free men by rights sit on all war councils."

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

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