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
The union also holds the right to review the books, but there are not expected to be any big tweaks to the number. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 13 July 2026 New Line retains the international rights to Nightmare on Elm Street. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
Adjective
The right pj’s can make hot summer nights a whole lot more comfortable. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 Anthony Seigler led off the fifth with a double, Ceddanne Rafaela walked, and Abreu slammed a two-run double off the right-field wall for a 5-1 lead. — ABC News, 5 July 2026
Adverb
According to FactSet, the average price target among analysts of around $254 does not signal a lot of daylight, as that's right around where the stock traded Tuesday afternoon. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 14 July 2026 Commercial breaks right after a contestant’s final swing took air out of the broadcast, as did a last-chance magenta ball (sponsored by T-Mobile) of which none of the boppers seemed capable of taking advantage. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
Verb
Paul Toboni and Blake Butera have righted the ship far faster than anyone could have imagined. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 16 June 2026 The board’s decision acknowledged the seminary’s work to right its financial ship including increasing revenue, decreasing expenses and selling some of its property, Dockery said in his letter. — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 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
  • The rhythm and schedule of a World Cup does not allow England such privileges.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • For Catherine, most of these dietary rules are about practicality rather than privilege.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 July 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • Iran on Tuesday claimed that more than 200 non-Iranian vessels coordinated with its Persian Gulf Strait Authority in the three weeks after the MOU was signed, but CNN could not independently verify that claim.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The Department of Homeland Security has claimed that both of the drivers attempted to run over law enforcement agents, but has not provided evidence to back up those claims.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 14 July 2026
Definition of claim
Noun
  • Bass said that the Lineage crisis is an environmental justice issue and highlights the health risks communities of color are disproportionately exposed to.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Balochistan's capital, Quetta, and told the families of 42 people killed in the attacks that their sacrifices were not in vain and those responsible would be brought to justice.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of justice
Adjective
  • This underscores how Apple's control over its devices, from hardware to software, limits true ownership and poses challenges for long-term digital preservation.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Now, more Americans are beginning to make the roughly three-hour car ride from Santo Domingo, trading the predictability of Punta Cana for something more real.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Our research and experiences, along with that of other experts, show these two services can make a real difference.
    — Jane Callahan, The Conversation, 14 July 2026
Definition of real
Adjective
  • Once the outcome is decided, a correct contract is worth $1 and an incorrect contract is worth nothing.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
  • But if our estimates stand, our figure is substantially lower than some more sensational reports, which may not be correct in attributing bigger hikes in electric bills to data centers.
    — Daniel Yue, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • Immigrants brought to the United States in childhood were once the poster children of the immigration reform debate — the one group that most Americans, regardless of political affiliation, could agree deserved protection.
    — Lauren Villagran, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Germany's head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, gave Ecuador its deserved praise for the win today, saying his own team failed to find its rhythm in the second half.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
Definition of deserved
Adjective
  • Someone who lost their way despite their initial, honorable intentions.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • Manliness is a touchy subject these days, but there was a time when honorable combat was respected above the mere running of one’s mouth.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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