rightful

adjective

right·​ful ˈrīt-fəl How to pronounce rightful (audio)
Synonyms of rightfulnext
1
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 adverb
rightfulness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead, empty it and put the items in their rightful places. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025 Pennsylvania Money Match is a new program that allows Treasury to return certain unclaimed property to rightful owners automatically, which was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor last year. Michael Guise, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025 In 1999, Maher found an expensive camera left behind in the NICU and returned it to its rightful owners, a couple named Harry and Laura Slatkin, per Vanity Fair. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025 Return jackets, bags, and shoes to their rightful place. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rightful

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rightful was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rightful. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

rightful

adjective
right·​ful ˈrīt-fəl How to pronounce rightful (audio)
1
2
: having a just or legal claim : legitimate
the rightful owner
rightfully adverb
rightfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on rightful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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