as in deserved
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
in light of her admission of having lied, the only rightful course of action for the governor would be to resign
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Recent Examples of rightful
The state holds the funds indefinitely until they’re claimed by their rightful owners (or heirs).
—
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Once aboard, Oriyomi allegedly sat down in an aisle seat before slipping into the restroom and coming back to find that the seat had been taken by the rightful passenger, according to a witness.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 7 June 2026
Return them to their rightful homes in other rooms throughout the house.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
To longtime fans, the prospect of any new material from the late legend is rightful cause to salivate, but as the artist's discerning offspring, Tim wasn't entirely sold at first that there was something worth sharing there.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rightful
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Once aboard, Oriyomi allegedly sat down in an aisle seat before slipping into the restroom and coming back to find that the seat had been taken by the rightful passenger, according to a witness.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 7 June 2026
Return them to their rightful homes in other rooms throughout the house.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
To longtime fans, the prospect of any new material from the late legend is rightful cause to salivate, but as the artist's discerning offspring, Tim wasn't entirely sold at first that there was something worth sharing there.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rightful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rightful
Adjective
-
Her new friends include Sam (Bianca Dumais), a rock-chick type who’s the same age as Franny and who has developed a reputation for promiscuity around town that doesn’t seem deserved.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
25 May 2026
-
Trai Hume gives Sunderland the lead against Chelsea Sunderland dominate the first quarter of this match and take a deserved lead in the 25th minute via Trai Hume.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
For all of the justified concern over the potential for AI to automate work, the rise of AI babysitting points to how the technology is already changing jobs.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
-
True, the university’s effort to unload the property sparked a backlash that proved justified.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rightful. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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