righteous
Americanadjective
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characterized by uprightness or morality.
a righteous observance of the law.
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morally right or justifiable.
righteous indignation.
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acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous.
a righteous and godly person.
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Slang. absolutely genuine or wonderful.
some righteous playing by a jazz great.
noun
adjective
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characterized by, proceeding from, or in accordance with accepted standards of morality, justice, or uprightness; virtuous
a righteous man
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( as collective noun ; preceded by the )
the righteous
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morally justifiable or right, esp from one's own point of view
righteous indignation
Usage
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!
Other Word Forms
- overrighteous adjective
- overrighteously adverb
- overrighteousness noun
- prerighteous adjective
- prerighteously adverb
- prerighteousness noun
- quasi-righteous adjective
- quasi-righteously adverb
- righteously adverb
- righteousness noun
- superrighteous adjective
- superrighteously adverb
- superrighteousness noun
Etymology
Origin of righteous
First recorded before 900; earlier rightwos, rightwis (remodeled with -ous ), Middle English; Old English rihtwīs; right, wise 2
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.
Eig’s new book paints King not as a myth but as a man: anguished and flawed, but also driven by deep religious belief to push his country toward a more righteous future.
From New York Times
As he explained, “The people who participated in mob violence were teachers and lawyers and police officers and ministers and journalists. In fact, the media facilitated much of this violence by characterizing it as righteous.”
From Seattle Times
With help from her spoiled husband, her kooky sister-in-law and a comically righteous nun, Paulette teaches young women the keys to being a good wife: obedience, discretion, economy, tolerance for mediocre sex.
From New York Times
Confucianism – a philosophy of harmony, sincerity and righteous behavior – is considered by many to be the pinnacle of Chinese thought and a guiding force for policymakers.
From Washington Times
Here were two fighters, perhaps in their prime and with plenty of cultural cache, brawling for something more righteous than poorly plated gold.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
