RIGHTEOUS Synonyms: 271 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'righteous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of righteous are ethical , moral , noble , and virtuous . While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious. // wished to be righteous before God and the world

Q: Where would 'ethical' be a reasonable alternative to 'righteous'?

The meanings of ethical and righteous largely overlap; however, ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity. // committed to the highest ethical principles

Q: When would 'moral' be a good substitute for 'righteous'?

Although the words moral and righteous have much in common, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong. // the basic moral values of a community

Q: When might 'noble' be a better fit than 'righteous'?

While the synonyms noble and righteous are close in meaning, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character. // had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Q: When could 'virtuous' be used to replace 'righteous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to righteous , virtuous implies moral excellence in character. // not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

righteous

adjective

ˈrī-chəs

Definition of righteous next

as in honorable

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue a righteous man can be trusted to act honorably regardless of the circumstances

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honest

following the accepted rules of moral conduct righteous behavior is its own reward

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excellent

slang of the very best kind a nightspot that's a dependable venue for righteous jazz

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective righteous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of righteous are ethical, moral, noble, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

Where would ethical be a reasonable alternative to righteous?

The meanings of ethical and righteous largely overlap; however, ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When would moral be a good substitute for righteous?

Although the words moral and righteous have much in common, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When might noble be a better fit than righteous?

While the synonyms noble and righteous are close in meaning, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

When could virtuous be used to replace righteous?

While in some cases nearly identical to righteous, virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

Examples of righteous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There’s not much narrative propulsion this time, no steady build to Fleck’s righteous, Travis Bickle-y revenge. —

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2024 From early attempts to create division and dissent in his ranks to phone taps, the organization operated from a place of racist anxiety over the power of Black America and one leader who was leading a peaceful and righteous path to equity. —

Eric Farwell and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2024 Sure enough, righteous fury poured forth from animal-lovers. —

Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024 There’s a corrupt cop (Femi Jacobs) and a righteous doctor (Taye Arimoro). —

Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for righteous

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'righteous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.