Synonyms of rectitude

rectitude

noun

ˈrek-tə-ˌtüd 

1

as in morality

conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong

encouraged the graduates to go on to live lives of unimpeachable rectitude and integrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• morality
• integrity
• virtue
• honesty
• goodness
• rightness
• character
• probity
• uprightness
• morals
• decency
• ethics
• righteousness
• honor
• virtuousness
• incorruptibility
• correctness
• decorum
• scrupulousness
• propriety
• fitness
• etiquette
• appropriateness
• high-mindedness
• scrupulosity
• right-mindedness
• seemliness
• irreproachability
• irreproachableness
• decorousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evil
• immorality
• wickedness
• sin
• badness
• villainy
• iniquity
• impropriety
• indiscretion
• evildoing
• degradation
• sinfulness
• indecorum
• indecency
• perversion
• depravity
• degeneracy
• debauchery
• dishonesty
• meanness
• unscrupulousness
• crookedness
• lowness
• vileness
• viciousness
• corruption
• underhandedness
• pervertedness

2

as in integrity

faithfulness to high moral standards

has a finely honed sense of rectitude that keeps him from cheating on exams

Synonyms & Similar Words

• integrity
• honesty
• honor
• morality
• probity
• virtue
• uprightness
• righteousness
• justice
• respectability
• nobility
• decency
• conscientiousness
• fairness
• scrupulousness
• incorruptibility
• reputability
• character
• virtuousness
• blamelessness
• high-mindedness
• right-mindedness
• irreproachability
• irreproachableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• baseness
• dishonor
• lowness
• degradation
• corruption
• venality
• dissipation
• perversion
• decadence
• depravity
• disgrace
• profligacy
• dissoluteness
• shamelessness
• degeneracy
• criminality
• looseness
• corruptibility
• debasement
• debauchery
• immorality
• corruptness
• dishonesty
• blameworthiness
• unscrupulousness
• crookedness
• unrighteousness
• rascality
• meanness
• sinfulness
• wickedness
• knavery
• villainy
• wretchedness
• rottenness
• disreputableness
• vileness
• disgracefulness
• pervertedness
• roguishness
• dissipatedness
• reprehensibleness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rectitude

Moral rectitude, in some left-wing corners of the commentariat, is out; flagrant disregard of the social contract is in. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026

Chairman Atkins noted that the SEC’s enforcement program is an exercise of government power that must be tempered by fair process, good judgement, integrity, and rectitude. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025

And not unlike that earlier film, this one takes its tale of debauchery and rectitude and reconciles everything with a fiery third act. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025

The subtler truth is that a similar kind of minimalist rectitude is what has governed the best of the older monuments in the nation’s capital. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025

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