righteousness

[ rahy-chuhs-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being righteous.
2. righteous conduct.
3. the quality or state of being just or rightful:

   They came to realize the righteousness of her position on the matter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of righteousness¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English rightwisnes(se), Old English rihtwīsnes; equivalent to righteous + -ness

Example Sentences

If said hiker becomes so attached to their position of righteousness that they stand paralyzed for ten minutes as the storm clouds gather, that’s on them, not you.

From Outside Online

Generations had been raised to think that America never lost a war and that American presidents were, with a few exceptions, pillars of righteousness.

From Washington Post

The idea of supporting their places of employment has an added tinge of moral righteousness.

From Quartz

Both sides bask in their righteousness, holding steadfastly to an absolute position, whatever the downstream effect.

From Time

It has to have levels and branches in order to confirm justices and righteousness.

From Ozy

“Personally, I deal with manners of righteousness and God,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

And best of all, now he gets the self-righteousness of being the underdog!

From The Daily Beast

Like Bush, Obama is convinced of the righteousness of his own judgment, and lets all of us know it.

From The Daily Beast

Woe to you who have fallen away from the righteousness of your ancestors!

From The Daily Beast

Like Jimmy McNulty, Cruz is talented and charismatic, but trapped by his own self-righteousness.

From The Daily Beast

The God of Victories will give us one as brilliant and complete as the righteousness and justice of our cause demand.

From Project Gutenberg

She could have swooned, so intoxicant was her wonder and her solemn joy and her yearning after righteousness in love.

From Project Gutenberg

In the others, it is that righteousness imputed through grace to each believer.

From Project Gutenberg

With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

From Project Gutenberg

For if I had power to train a son of mine to righteousness, and I trained him to wickedness, should I not sin against my son?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fairness
• goodness
• rectitude
• respectability

More About Righteousness

What does righteousness mean?

Righteousness is the quality of being virtuous, honorable, or morally right. It can also refer to such behavior.

Righteousness is the noun form of the adjective righteous. Being righteous means doing what is right—obeying the law or adhering to morals. Both righteous and righteousness are often used in a religious context.

Example: It’s not easy to follow the path of righteousness—in fact, if an action is difficult to take, it’s probably right!

Where does righteousness come from?

The first records of the word righteousness come from before the 900s. It ultimately derives from the Old English word rihtwīs, which was formed from riht, meaning “right,” and wīs, referring to a manner or way of acting (as seen in words like otherwise and clockwise). Eventually, the word was altered with the adjectival suffix –ous. The suffix -ness makes it a noun.

The right in righteousness means “just,” “good,” or “correct” (rather than the opposite of “left”). Simply put, righteousness involves doing what is right (especially all the time) according to certain laws or morals. Righteousness is used frequently in the context of legal or moral judgments and religious matters. Some religions aim to help followers follow a path of righteousness. The common term self-righteousness refers to an overconfidence in one’s morality, especially when it leads one to criticize others.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to righteousness?

• righteous (adjective)

What are some synonyms for righteousness?

• virtuousness
• uprightness

What are some words that share a root or word element with righteousness? 

• right
• rightly
• self-righteousness

What are some words that often get used in discussing righteousness?

• law
• morality
• justice
• virtue
• honor

How is righteousness used in real life?

Righteousness is most often used in the discussion of the moral character of a person or the fairness or justness of laws or rules. Because of this, it most often appears in the context of topics like religion and ethics.

“Somehow, the preacher must be an Amos, and say, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Somehow, the preacher must say with Jesus, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor."” #MLK pic.twitter.com/dhCJ2xQif1

— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) April 3, 2020

Dharma means the “path of righteousness,” including a fundamental belief in the equality of all people and the duty to share and offer service to others.

Very simple concept , no need to complicate.

— Ivan (@Ivan59284557) May 27, 2020

Amazing to me how other people's self-righteousness fires up my own self-righteousness, until soon we're in a self-righteousness holy war…

— Elizabeth Gilbert (@GilbertLiz) September 29, 2015

 

 

Try using righteousness!

Which of the following actions is likely to be considered an example of righteousness?

A. cheating on a test
B. returning a lost wallet to its owner
C. ignoring a traffic light
D. robbing a bank