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Definition of righteousnext
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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of righteous The righteous Brotherhood of Steel is also in danger of breaking apart in this season. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 16 Dec. 2025 The hot sizzle of the wok, the clatter of pans, add a righteous soundtrack to the meal. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 6 Dec. 2025 But its mere presence was enough to inspire a righteous rebuke of music industry economics, lousy crowd behavior, and lame dudes in goofy hats. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2025 Glinda, radicalized by Elphaba’s sacrifice and goodliness, returns to the Emerald City, banishes the bad guys, and becomes a benevolent and righteous dictator for all of Oz. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for righteous
Adjective
  • Clarke, a junior, also was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection after totaling 30 tackles, eight passes defended and a fumble recovery in eight games.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Other than honorable discharges carry serious, long-term consequences, including the inability to access veteran benefits and disqualifications on becoming a police officer.
    Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet, to be honest, our dance card is already mighty full with a whole array of different kinds of gigs – from big pop shows to classic rock concerts and a number of different small club shows.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Shared finances, emotional investments or trust issues become crystal clear, prompting honest conversations and practical decision-making.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Transition metal fluorides are widely regarded as promising cathode materials because of their high theoretical voltages and excellent thermal stability.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Find a tax preparer, but first review the agency's tips to find an ethical one.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
  • However, ethical leadership requires a clear boundary between policy disagreement and the normalization — or tacit justification — of violence.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • By splicing pop songs and familiar meme formats into cruel detainment footage, ICE strains to attract a younger demographic, hoping to convince people that the agency is a vibrant—and trollishly funny—organization engaged in the noble work of putting away bad guys.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
  • In this case, focusing on a dress versus the altruistic work Turner is doing feels like an attempt to discredit that very noble work.
    Essence, Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This has been a wonderful season.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Keep reading to discover all of the wonderful possibilities this tiny home unlocks, for just $9,800.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This is especially true for plants that are marginally hardy in your area, as well as common perennials like woodland phlox, lamb’s ear, and hardy geraniums.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Fellow true freshman Joshua Moore should be in line for a bigger role next season as well.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The country's greatest resource is not oil beneath the ground, but people--inside and outside the country--who still care deeply about its future.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Newsom is certainly right that California is a great state and an economic engine unmatched by other states.
    Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/righteous. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on righteous

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