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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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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

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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
That’s why Araujo’s perch on the club level behind home plate is exposed to the crowd rather than enclosed, like the booths to his right used by the radio and TV broadcasters. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026 Craig made three high-level throws to Small in the first half, including a 52-yard strike rolling out to his right. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The right choice depends on the treatment area, the amount of existing hair, donor quality and the strategy preferred by the medical team. — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026 Focusing on issues other than tariffs may be the right strategy on the campaign trail, Hills said. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Then the Bulldogs went right back on offense after recovering their own onside kick. — Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 Think tan and white, or navy and burgundy—a timeless pairing that feels especially right once the temperatures start to drop. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
Laney-Hamilton helped right the Liberty ship in 2021 after a career-defining 2020 with the Atlanta Dream. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 France fans will be hoping his return to the ranks will help right the wrongs of that night in Berlin. — Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 28 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
  • Today, about two-thirds of Florida homeowners trust companies many had never heard of before to safeguard their homes and possessions – while paying thousands of dollars each year for the privilege.
    — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026
  • On Sunday, Bitman filed an emergency motion seeking to deactivate Evans’ e‑filing privileges while Carrot Top continues to recover.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • Child and Family Development attorney Jared Gardner said his client denies the claims.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Inside, at a table off the kitchen, Pasitney and Espersen walked me through the claim that their ostriches were essential to medical science.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of claim
Noun
  • The court's three liberal-leaning justices publicly dissented from the decision.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Director Janus Metz Pedersen elides the thornier aspects of Kaczynski’s life and career and instead focuses primarily on his years as a Harvard undergrad, intercutting it with the FBI manhunt that finally brought him to justice in 1996.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of justice
Adjective
  • In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In Cuba, for instance, the single format is dominant, and very few artists have dared to create a true concept album.
    — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • The productivity is real, the margin improvement is real and the speed gains are real, and every company should capture them.
    — Sumeet Salwan, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • David Pakman examines just how far the need to perform for digital spectators has seeped into real life.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of real
Adjective
  • But Coulter is correct that complying with Act 372 will require, well, compliance efforts.
    — Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Election officials determined my eligibility, prepared and sent the correct ballot and accepted it under applicable law.
    — Lee Moak, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • Maresca’s players followed soon after; Iliman Ndiaye, an inspired half-time substitute, was hanging around at the back of the group when Ruben Dias grabbed him and thrust him to the front, ensuring the new signing got a deserved ovation.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • In-form striker Donyell Malen scored his sixth goal in four games to put Roma ahead and Niccolò Pisilli got a deserved second in stoppage time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of deserved
Adjective
  • While some might argue that Murphy is an antihero, Hawke viewed him as an honorable man.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • There are, of course, many honorable people who own businesses and choose to become politicians.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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