right 1 of 4

noun

Definition of rightnext
1
as in privilege
something to which one has a just claim everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

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Relevance
2
as in claim
an entitlement to something what right do you have to tell us what to do?

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3
as in justice
the practice of giving to others what is their due activists who have fought all their lives for right

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right

2 of 4

adjective

ˈrīt How to pronounce right (audio)
1
as in true
following an original exactly a modern replica of an 18th-century British warship that is right in all of its details

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2
as in real
being exactly as appears or as claimed despite the name, New York's East River is a strait and not a right river

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3
as in correct
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard the obvious answer is not always the right one

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4
as in deserved
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong trying to do what is right

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5
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue a right woman who did not hang around waterfront bars

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6
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course the first city in America laid out with broad, right avenues

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7
as in normal
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions he hasn't been right since he suffered serious brain injury in the accident

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8
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation the right tool for the job

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right

3 of 4

adverb

1
as in just
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference stay right where you are

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2
as in straight
in a direct line or course walk right over here now

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3
as in very
to a great degree a right beautiful day we're having!

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4
as in immediately
without delay we'll leave right after dinner

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5
as in correctly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose you're not dressed right for an interview with a big-time law firm

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right

4 of 4

verb

as in to better

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word right different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of right are accurate, correct, exact, nice, and precise. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

In what contexts can accurate take the place of right?

While in some cases nearly identical to right, accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

When is it sensible to use correct instead of right?

The synonyms correct and right are sometimes interchangeable, but correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When might exact be a better fit than right?

In some situations, the words exact and right are roughly equivalent. However, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

When could nice be used to replace right?

While the synonyms nice and right are close in meaning, nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How are the words precise and exact related as synonyms of right?

Precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

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 right
Noun
The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) was projected to win a strong victory in a regional election on Sunday, in a major blow to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right party, the Christian Democratic Union. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 Curtis spoke at disability rights conferences and statehouses. — Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Adjective
There’s no shortage of melty cheese, and a dash of half-and-half adds just the right amount of richness to the broth. — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026 The blast landed just beyond the right-field wall — a 366-foot solo shot. — Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2026
Adverb
The Tambour Spin Time Air Flying Tourbillon Salmon, the next new watch in the collection, pays homage to salmon-color dials; the team at LV partnered up with La Fabrique des Cadrans to get the hue to pair just right with the platinum case. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2026 The global industry will be watching closely to see if the festival’s gamble on a content market will pay off, especially with AFM right around the corner in early November. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
Texas Longhorns Speaking of those Longhorns, Texas will be looking to right the wrongs from a disappointing 2025 heading into this year. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 As Penny tries to regain her parents’ trust and right the world that’s been thrown off-kilter, she’s pulled into a series of unexpected adventures that test her courage and identity. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for right
Recent Examples of Synonyms for right
  1. privilege
  2. claim
  3. justice
  4. true
  5. real
  6. correct
  7. deserved
  8. honorable
Noun
  • In a variation on her character from Parasite, Cho deftly underplays Yi-je’s insensitivity as another woman projecting a blithe lack of awareness of her privilege.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Cho herself prepared by consulting the late master of the form, Frederick Wiseman, who was unabashed about the tension between documentary filmaking’s often radical politics and the privilege required to turn it into a profession.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • When approached for comment by The Athletic, DHS disputed Pourrain’s claims about the facility’s conditions.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Rudin had stepped away from producing in 2021, after a Hollywood Reporter story detailed multiple claims from Rudin’s former employees of bullying and verbal abuse as well as throwing objects at staff.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of claim
Noun
  • Such stories, along with the incredible resilience of populations harmed by colonialism, need to be told and understood to promote justice and healing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Her notions of justice and the law — indeed, of her very sense of self — are then upended when she herself is assaulted by Julian (Daniel Ings), her colleague and boyfriend who comes from a relatively privileged background.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of justice
Adjective
  • There was skepticism about Vizzina, who threw only 105 passes in his first three years at Clemson and then was pushed by true freshman Tait Reynolds for the starting role in preseason camp.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • This is true for the franchise as a whole; RHOA is the city that turned Housewives into a sport that requires real skill and charisma.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • A lot of teams at the bottom might be tanking for Arch Manning, and there is no real new blood at quarterback this season.
    — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Many companies now rely on AI screening tools that filter applications based on keywords rather than real qualifications.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of real
Adjective
  • The signatories argue that a correct answer alone does not capture what makes mathematical research valuable.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • For far too many years, the most popular NBA analysts ran off vibes and nostalgia (correct pronunciation of foreign players’ names, not included).
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • The visitors had taken a deserved lead through Marcus Tavernier, who reacted quickly to guide home Alex Scott’s deflected pass.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The toilet bowl has Díaz-Canel’s face painted on it, so people can leave their deserved offering.
    — Sarah Moreno August 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of deserved
Adjective
  • The group meets monthly and is open to those with honorable, general and other-than-honorable discharges.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026
  • All persons having business before this honorable court are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the court is now sitting.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of honorable

Phrases Containing right

Browse Nearby Words

rigging (up)
right
right and left
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Cite this Entry

“Right.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/right. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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