by rights

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

by rights

Footage shared by rights groups on social media showed inmates sitting outside their cells chanting "no to execution".

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

Their operations have been widely criticised by rights groups.

From Barron's ● May 19, 2026

Those proposals have been criticised by rights groups as inhumane.

From Barron's ● Mar. 28, 2026

But the trial has been strongly criticised by rights groups.

From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2026

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

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