1
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue
a righteous man can be trusted to act honorably regardless of the circumstances
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honest
following the accepted rules of moral conduct
righteous behavior is its own reward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excellent
slang
of the very best kind
a nightspot that's a dependable venue for righteous jazz
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of righteous
If the court rejects the silly idea that a wrong house raid is the product of a public policy judgment call, common sense may prevail in lawsuits against federal law enforcement—righteous police will be protected and rogue police will be accountable.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Grant even gave Tzedakah (a righteous contribution) to the synagogue and sat for the entirety of the hours long traditional Jewish service, most of which was in Yiddish and Hebrew, during a hot D.C. summer day.
—Time, 3 June 2025
Last year’s champs the Ghouls are a glaring and righteous exception.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
Parks-Ramage doesn’t come to a specific conclusion, and although some of his more righteous characters seem to be firmly on the reproduction-is-immoral side, his depiction of Gabriel’s childlike wonder and imagination is tender and loving.
—Ilana Masad, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for righteous
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Grant even gave Tzedakah (a righteous contribution) to the synagogue and sat for the entirety of the hours long traditional Jewish service, most of which was in Yiddish and Hebrew, during a hot D.C. summer day.
—Time, 3 June 2025
Last year’s champs the Ghouls are a glaring and righteous exception.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
Parks-Ramage doesn’t come to a specific conclusion, and although some of his more righteous characters seem to be firmly on the reproduction-is-immoral side, his depiction of Gabriel’s childlike wonder and imagination is tender and loving.
—Ilana Masad, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for righteous
Adjective
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Different views on the topic Some readers challenge the emphasis on political decorum, arguing that respect must be earned through honorable conduct rather than election victories.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
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Or that America's founding principles are honorable and created a superpower that leads the world.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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Jamie Lee Curtis got honest about her cosmetic procedures in the hopes of dissuading women from making the same mistake.—
Maria Yagoda,
People.com,
5 July 2025
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The appraisal was not crude, but rather honest and profound.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Along the way, there have been some other expressions as well, including single barrel, barrel-proof whiskeys, a series of excellent cask-strength American single malts, and rye whiskeys made with different grain varietals.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
29 June 2025
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There are many excellent CRM platforms that are available at a much lower price point and that can serve the needs of most small and mid-sized businesses.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Managers are the ethical gatekeepers responsible for monitoring outputs and ensuring alignment with company values.—
Dr. Timothy J. Giardino,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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Around the globe, museums—including the Smithsonian—are working to develop policies surrounding the ethical treatment of human remains.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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Royal titles are reserved for those born into or marrying into the family, while dukedoms and other noble titles are passed down through a family or granted by the reigning monarch.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
6 July 2025
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He’s covered in sweat and using a scrap of cardboard as a fan—not for himself, but for the tides of people who pass him, in a noble effort to keep them cool.—
Richard Collett,
Saveur,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Colleagues, mentors and friends are wonderful sources of feedback.—
Kim Salem-Jackson,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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These tender, buttery peas are wonderful in any number of dishes, but our new favorite just might be this black-eyed pea dip.—
Mary Claire Britton,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Be open to what needs to be dismantled in order to build something stronger and more aligned with your true path in the future.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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Country singer Gavin Adcock proved that to still be true by slamming the March 2024 LP, which is charting ahead of his forthcoming effort, Own Worst Enemy, during a rant at his recent concert.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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This is a great NBA Summer League matchup; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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This is a great day to schmooze with friends and members of groups and organizations.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/righteous. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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