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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective righteous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of righteous are ethical, moral, noble, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

Where would ethical be a reasonable alternative to righteous?

The meanings of ethical and righteous largely overlap; however, ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When would moral be a good substitute for righteous?

Although the words moral and righteous have much in common, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When might noble be a better fit than righteous?

While the synonyms noble and righteous are close in meaning, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

When could virtuous be used to replace righteous?

While in some cases nearly identical to righteous, virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

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 righteous At times, Anderson trivializes the righteous ardor that goes into active, violent resistance, but there is nothing trivial in his portrait of shattered lives and relationships and of an American society shaken to its core. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025 Taylor owns the first third of the film with a righteous fury that only betrays an inner vulnerability at the most crucial moments. Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 The turtle is large and old and must have walked from some farther water toward this new and righteous, riotous place. Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025 Top officials have asserted the crackdown on those who celebrated his killing and on left-wing groups is part of a righteous effort to honor the Turning Point USA co-founder. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for righteous
Adjective
  • Chess pros from around the world have since praised Naroditsky as an honorable player who used his online platform to make chess more accessible.
    Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Despite being deceived, Stone, who dated Garfield for four years, conceded that the actor's dedication to the secret was honorable.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When his father’s milestone birthday arrived, the teen saw an opportunity to be brutally honest.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Other marketing, the kind of stuff that people who would need to seek out (like, oh, big fans of Bruce) is more honest, like this featurette all about Cooper’s approach to this specific time in The Boss’ life and career.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This is where the Greenpoint comes from, an excellent neo-classic riff on a Manhattan that was invented at Milk & Honey in New York, and comprises the classic build of Manhattan—rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters—into which has been spliced the inimitable French herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Jayhawks did an excellent job of getting back in transition, limiting Louisville’s fast-break opportunities.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For architecture fans, the hotel can help set up journeys to pagods and temples over 700 years old; other excursions on offer include trips to floating fishing villages such as Cửa Vạn and Vung Viêng and ethical pearl cultivation.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Courts have occasionally removed government lawyers from cases when an actual conflict of interest or serious ethical violation was proven.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The noble notion of authorship itself.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • All the iconography and romanticism around the patriots’ noble cause can mask the contradictions of the era.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For the creation of wonderful characters and a story that feels spontaneous yet precise in its depiction of power, its moral dilemmas, and the absurd contradictions with the human condition.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Walston had a wonderful calming spirit.
    Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In my experience, this is especially true in the lonely hours of the night while struggling with chronic pain.
    Joni Eareckson Tada, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • For most Galatasaray supporters, domestic titles were never the true measure of success; Europe was.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 20-year-old was one of many players in the Argentinian squad with solid top-flight experience for their clubs, racking up 13 starts in midfield for Boca Juniors, after being given his opportunity by the great Fernando Gago back in May 2024.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • For me, it’s been really essential to read a lot of great information, and to come at the world filled with knowledge and all these ideas of, in my view, much smarter and braver people than myself.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/righteous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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