rightful

adjective

right·​ful ˈrīt-fəl 

1

: just, equitable

2

a

: having a just or legally established claim : legitimate

the rightful owner

b

: held by right or just claim : legal

rightful authority

3

: proper, fitting

… assured of his rightful place in history …

—Brian Duff

rightfully

ˈrīt-fə-lē 

adverb

rightfulness noun

Synonyms of rightful

• deserved
• justified

Examples of rightful in a Sentence

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

The king’s brother has other plans, leading to a dark time in the Pride Lands until Simba musters the courage to reclaim his rightful throne. —Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

Venezuela's opposition party also maintains that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who ran against Maduro in the election last year, should be the rightful president of Venezuela. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2026

Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, meanwhile, demanded that the United States free Maduro and called him the country’s rightful leader as her nation’s high court named her interim president. —Regina Garcia Cano, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026

Rodríguez has called Maduro the country’s rightful leader, even as her nation’s high court named her interim president. —Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rightful

• frightful
• spiteful
• delightful
• insightful

Kids Definition

rightful

adjective

right·​ful ˈrīt-fəl 

1

: just entry 1 sense 2a

2

: having a just or legal claim : legitimate

the rightful owner

rightfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

rightfulness noun