righteous
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for righteous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Morally right or virtuous; acting justly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
unrighteous
How to use righteous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
righteous anger
righteous cause
self-righteous
Etymology
From Old English rihtwīs, a blend of right and wise ("manner"), later reshaped to end in -eous like other moral adjectives.
Full origin of righteous →Frequently asked questions
What does “righteous” mean?
The word “righteous” means morally right or virtuous; acting justly. In plain terms, morally good and just — though often used pointedly for someone acting a little too pleased with their own virtue.
How do you pronounce “righteous”?
“Righteous” is pronounced RYT-shuhs (/ˈɹaɪt͡ʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “righteous” in a sentence?
Here is “righteous” used in a sentence: “She lived a righteous life devoted to helping others.”
What part of speech is “righteous”?
“Righteous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “righteous” come from?
The word “righteous” comes from Old English. From Old English rihtwīs, a blend of right and wise ("manner"), later reshaped to end in -eous like other moral adjectives.
Is “righteous” a common word?
“Righteous” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “righteous” have?
“Righteous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: morally right or virtuous; acting justly.
What is the difference between righteous and self-righteous?
Righteous describes someone or something that is morally right or virtuous, acting justly. Self-righteous, a related but disapproving use of righteous, describes someone who is smugly convinced of their own moral superiority, often unfairly judging others.
Is "righteous" always a positive word?
Not always. While its core meaning of being morally right or virtuous is positive, righteous is often used disapprovingly to describe someone who acts as though they are morally superior to others.
What is a "righteous anger"?
A righteous anger is anger that is considered morally justified, arising from a genuine sense of injustice rather than petty irritation. The phrase draws on the positive sense of righteous as acting justly.
