righteousness
RYT-shuhs-nuhs
Righteousness (noun) means the quality of being morally right or virtuous. Example: “The sermon spoke of righteousness and forgiveness.”
noun
1
The quality of being morally right or virtuous.
"The sermon spoke of righteousness and forgiveness."
"The book praises the righteousness of people who help strangers in need."
"Many religions teach that righteousness matters more than wealth or power."
How to use righteousness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe state or quality of being righteous — morally upright and just.
Common pairings
a sense of righteousness
moral righteousness
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Word forms
- Plural
- righteousnesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sermon spoke of _____ and forgiveness.
Etymology
From Old English rihtwīsnes, formed from righteous plus -ness.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unrighteousness
Related words
Rhymes for righteousness
See all rhymes for righteousness →Frequently asked questions
What does “righteousness” mean?
The word “righteousness” means the quality of being morally right or virtuous. In plain terms, the state or quality of being righteous — morally upright and just.
How do you pronounce “righteousness”?
“Righteousness” is pronounced RYT-shuhs-nuhs (/ˈɹaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “righteousness” in a sentence?
Here is “righteousness” used in a sentence: “The sermon spoke of righteousness and forgiveness.”
What part of speech is “righteousness”?
“Righteousness” is a noun.
Where does the word “righteousness” come from?
The word “righteousness” comes from Old English. From Old English rihtwīsnes, formed from righteous plus -ness.
Is “righteousness” a common word?
“Righteousness” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
