rectitude

noun

ˈrek-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce rectitude (audio)
Definition of rectitudenext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  1. morality
  2. integrity
  3. virtue
  4. honesty
  5. goodness
  6. honor
Noun
  • Law & Courts A failed execution in Tennessee and plans to livestream a firing squad are recharging America’s death penalty debate, raising questions about morality and justice.
    — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The novel explores free will, fate, and morality, and was famously adapted into a classic film by Stanley Kubrick in 1971.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of morality
Noun
  • Early showings have drawn critical acclaim, but it's also been criticized by Musk himself on X, saying the film has zero integrity.
    — Stephen Desaulniers,Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • That growth has fueled disputes with states and Native American tribes over regulatory authority, while drawing scrutiny from sports leagues over game integrity and from advocates who say the platforms’ accessibility increases the risk of addiction.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of integrity
Noun
  • New recruits and seasoned officers alike take field trips to the Museum of Tolerance, where trainers extol the virtues of multiculturalism.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 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
  • In a world that rewards keeping appearances, Space Afrika makes conveying honesty and vulnerability look easy.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But when customers already know something went wrong, an apology can signal warmth and honesty.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of honesty
Noun
  • My goodness though, his head coach is not doing him any favors from a public perception standpoint.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • With that much pulse-pounding, fight-or-flight-revving goodness, maybe there should be a law.
    — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of goodness
Noun
  • As private longing collides with honor and social codes, each character has to reckon with what their choices cost.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The honor recognizes artists who remain relevant through their artistic and personal contributions, and whose influence has made a significant impact on Latin music around the world.
    — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of honor

Browse Nearby Words

rectifying
rectitude
rectitudinous
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Rectitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rectitude. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All