rightfully

adverb

right·​ful·​ly -f(ə)lē How to pronounce rightfully (audio)
-li
1
: in accordance with right or justice : fairly, justly
no man can rightfully be condemned without reference to some definite lawS. T. Coleridge
2
: in a correct or proper manner : rightly
those things which we dread … so rightfullyKey Reporter

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rihtfully, rightfully, from rihtful, rightful + -ly

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Cite this Entry

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

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