right 1 of 4

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

right

2 of 4

adjective

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

right

3 of 4

adverb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5

right

4 of 4

verb

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

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

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

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 state argues that the defense is trying to confer upon itself rights during the preliminary stage of the trial that it is not entitled to until the actual trial itself, and that discovery is meant to be reserved for the trial, not preliminary proceedings. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026 The Dream also receives the right to swap second-round picks with the Sky in 2028. Jill Martin, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Shortstop Willy Adames wasn’t in good position to receive a throw from right fielder Jung Hoo Lee that beat Jorge Polanco to second base. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026 After missing 27 consecutive games with a sore right knee, days of rehab and setbacks, that simple gesture said it all. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Adverb
And so electricity being provided right at the point at which it was needed, that that power generation was needed for some aspect of production. Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026 And now stepping right in line is the PGA with their info for the 38th Annual Producers Guild season . Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Angels are returning three-time American League MVP Mike Trout to center field, a year after shifting him to right in an effort to keep him healthy. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026 Cal Raleigh nearly homered to right. Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for right
Recent Examples of Synonyms for right
Noun
  • Moving between these spheres is a privilege and keeps me committed to nonspecialized audiences and to the ongoing effort to broaden access to the visual arts.
    Raphael Fonseca, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Screening privileges, some members argue, are about safety.
    Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • When a Groyper account on X suggested that Jewish people were responsible for contemporary German immigration policy, Rogers, using her official State Department account, dismissed the claim as nonsense.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • But Setrakian claimed California and Texas law protect public officials from defamation claims even in fundraising so long as the offending comments can be reasonably connected to his official duties.
    Will Swaim, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • While not issuing a quick rejection, key conservative justices seemed skeptical of the administration’s arguments for its legality.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • According to a Chicago Blackhawks team source, those reports — that the PWHL would be coming to the Blackhawks’ facility — are not true.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • In fairness to Brown, this is true.
    Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Congress rarely manages to assemble bipartisan housing legislation of any real ambition, which makes the Senate’s recent passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act a remarkable feat.
    Brad Hargreaves, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2026
  • On the weekends, there are pony rides outside the Cinema dei Piccoli, but the real highlight is the San Carlino theater on Viale dei Bambini—which literally translates to 'Kids' Street'—where there’s an ever-changing roster of Italian puppet shows.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Most restaurants correct violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly after.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The correct spreadsheet was never found.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The park by then had a deserved reputation as an open-air drug market.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
  • That is definitely well deserved.
    Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The people in Japan are so honorable.
    Matt Bomer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Third team Gonzaga senior Graham Ike, an honorable-mention pick two years ago, earned third-team honors this season.
    Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Right.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/right. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on right

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster