RECTITUDE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

rectitude

noun

ˈrek-tə-ˌtüd

Definition of rectitude

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

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as in integrity

faithfulness to high moral standards has a finely honed sense of rectitude that keeps him from cheating on exams

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of rectitude 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 Indeed, comprehensive independent police auditing would help ensure, not harm, the rectitude of police investigations. — Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025 Mao’s brand of Communism combined a peasant ethos of physical labor with a Soviet pathos for ideological rectitude. — John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2013 See All Example Sentences for rectitude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rectitude

Noun

Four years ago this week, a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa Jina Amini died after being detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the country’s compulsory hijab rules.

— Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
In a climate which increasingly tells people in these farmers communities that those two values are not politically aligned, sustainable farmers of faith told me that Berry validated their own sense of morality.

— Sydney Giacalone, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of morality

Noun

And an agreement that at the same time recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination.

— Michelle Stoddart, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
The vote demonstrated that cryptocurrency regulation cannot be separated from questions of political integrity, institutional authority and public confidence.

— Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of integrity

Noun

Though there are multiple interpretations of sharia, its essence is to serve as a code for how Muslims should live and worship — covering such matters as prayer, pilgrimages, fasting, charitable donations and personal virtue.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Baek Ki-hyeon aspired to walk a path of virtue and provide for their sister through honest means — but his calculating spymaster big brother was never going to let them out of his grasp.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of virtue

Noun

Responding with curiosity instead of immediate defensiveness teaches people that honesty is useful rather than dangerous.

— Kristina Aran, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Thrown together with him again, Billie has to confront the honesty and the deception that brought their relationship to an end.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of honesty

Noun

At the University of Turin, Pavese wrote his thesis on Walt Whitman, which was initially rejected because of the evident influence of Croce and then passed, with honors, after Leone Ginzburg savvily intervened and found Pavese a new examiner.

— Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
The Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys earlier this year had awarded Zahnd the group’s highest honor for his years of service as a prosecutor.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of honor

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rectifying

rectitude

rectitudinous

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“Rectitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rectitude. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rectitude

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