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

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

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