rightly

adverb

right·​ly ˈrīt-lē How to pronounce rightly (audio)
Synonyms of rightlynext
1
: in accordance with right conduct : fairly, justly
was treated rightly
2
: in the right or proper manner : properly, fittingly
people are rightly upset
3
: according to truth or fact : correctly, exactly
If I remember rightly, today is his birthday.

Examples of rightly in a Sentence

If I remember rightly, today is his birthday. She rightly anticipated a decline in the value of the stock. He points out, quite rightly, that there are flaws in the theory. Many people, rightly or wrongly, believe the economy will soon improve. She rightly admires his paintings. People are rightly upset about the city's rising crime rate. Quite rightly, the police commissioner is being blamed for the city's rising crime rate. She is proud of her children, and rightly so.
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.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has rightly made ATC modernization an early priority. Daniel Elwell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025 The strategy rightly establishes freedom of navigation and regional stability as priorities in the Indo-Pacific, positioning China as a competitor while underscoring the importance of avoiding direct conflict with a nuclear power that is a military behemoth. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025 Bischof says a lot of institutions have archives and collections that rightly sit in vaults, protected. Jackie Northam, NPR, 7 Dec. 2025 While the recent heavy selling in bitcoin and ether is rightly getting all the short-term attention, this estate planning issue is a longer-term one that's likely to be exacerbated as crypto adoption and ownership increase. Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rightly

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rightly. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

rightly

adverb
right·​ly ˈrīt-lē How to pronounce rightly (audio)
1
: in agreement with right conduct
2
: in the right or proper manner
3
: in agreement with truth or fact

More from Merriam-Webster on rightly

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