right·ful·ness
-fəlnə̇s
plural -es
: the quality or state of being right : the justness or equity of something : accordance with right and justice
feeling the rightfulness of the world—
Willard Luce
Willard LuceExamples of rightful in a Sentence
Adjective
The property should be returned to its rightful owner.
He will be given his rightful place in the history books.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Patrick Mahomes’ recent record-setting extension with the Kansas City Chiefs propelled him to the top of the NFL market, a rightful place for someone who has spent the past seven years as a Tier 1 selection in The Athletic’s annual Quarterback Tiers produced by Mike Sando.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 12 June 2026
There’s much to love about cottonwood trees and their rightful place in our natural environment, such as along the Des Plaines River at Ryerson, Wright and Half Day Woods in Lake County.
—Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
The state holds the funds indefinitely until they’re claimed by their rightful owners (or heirs).
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
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Adjective
Reid, for all intents and purposes, casts the fictional league’s commissioner as the rightful big bad villain of Shane and Ilya’s story.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Patrick Mahomes’ recent record-setting extension with the Kansas City Chiefs propelled him to the top of the NFL market, a rightful place for someone who has spent the past seven years as a Tier 1 selection in The Athletic’s annual Quarterback Tiers produced by Mike Sando.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 12 June 2026
There’s much to love about cottonwood trees and their rightful place in our natural environment, such as along the Des Plaines River at Ryerson, Wright and Half Day Woods in Lake County.
—Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
The state holds the funds indefinitely until they’re claimed by their rightful owners (or heirs).
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rightful
Cite this Entry
“Rightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rightful. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rightful
adjective
right·ful
ˈrīt-fəl 
2
: having a just or legal claim : legitimate
the rightful owner
rightfulness
noun
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