2
a
: morally right or justifiable
a righteous decision
b
: arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality
righteous indignation
righteously
adverb
righteousness
noun
Examples of righteous in a Sentence
The mix of Yorkshire-inherited bluntness and a caustic, chirpy South London cynicism (vividly parodied and perhaps too endearingly celebrated in the voice of Dora Chance, narrator of Wise Children) stops her from sounding righteous or dogmatic.
—
Hermione Lee, Times Literary Supplement, 19 June 1992
I didn't know until long after I was grown that Grandpa Durham—that stern and righteous Baptist—sometimes made persimmon beer and cooled it in the cistern.
—Jim W. Corder, Chronicle of a Small Town, 1989
He was foreman at Lyman's North End foundry, the largest stove-making foundry in the city, and had risen in eleven years, despite his lung ailment, from apprentice to moulder to chief grievance spokesman, a voice of righteous reason from below.
—William Kennedy, Harper's, March 1988
The Believers tried to lead a simple, righteous life, practicing pacifism and confession of sins and recognizing the equality of all humankind.
—Robert P. Emlen, Natural History, September 1987
a righteous man can be trusted to act honorably regardless of the circumstances
righteous behavior is its own reward
Hermione Lee, Times Literary Supplement, 19 June 1992
I didn't know until long after I was grown that Grandpa Durham—that stern and righteous Baptist—sometimes made persimmon beer and cooled it in the cistern.
—Jim W. Corder, Chronicle of a Small Town, 1989
He was foreman at Lyman's North End foundry, the largest stove-making foundry in the city, and had risen in eleven years, despite his lung ailment, from apprentice to moulder to chief grievance spokesman, a voice of righteous reason from below.
—William Kennedy, Harper's, March 1988
The Believers tried to lead a simple, righteous life, practicing pacifism and confession of sins and recognizing the equality of all humankind.
—Robert P. Emlen, Natural History, September 1987
a righteous man can be trusted to act honorably regardless of the circumstances
righteous behavior is its own reward
Recent Examples on the Web
Cruise dons Kovic’s uniform with unflinching vulnerability, while Stone, himself a Vietnam veteran, directs with righteous anger and empathy.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
This strong, authentic understanding amidst the ambiguity of whether righteous living leads to health and wealth is prominent throughout the Bible.
—Walt Shelton, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
And he is compelled by a righteous fury to warn others of his son’s dark path to self-annihilation.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Brutes who are unable to control their animalistic passions and who must be brought to heel by cops, soldiers, and the righteous might of the liberal order.
—Steven W. Thrasher
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for righteous
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Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
This strong, authentic understanding amidst the ambiguity of whether righteous living leads to health and wealth is prominent throughout the Bible.
—Walt Shelton, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
And he is compelled by a righteous fury to warn others of his son’s dark path to self-annihilation.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Brutes who are unable to control their animalistic passions and who must be brought to heel by cops, soldiers, and the righteous might of the liberal order.
—Steven W. Thrasher
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for righteous
Cite this Entry
“Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/righteous. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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