Synonyms of righteous

righteous

adjective

ˈrī-chəs 

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

• honorable
• ethical
• honest
• true
• nice
• good
• moral
• virtuous
• decent
• noble
• upright
• worthy
• right
• straight
• respected
• all right
• right-minded
• just
• correct
• proper
• legitimate
• innocent
• exemplary
• pure
• principled
• decorous
• blameless
• seemly
• guiltless
• commendable
• incorruptible
• creditable
• high-minded
• reputable
• esteemed
• angelic
• unobjectionable
• clean
• moralistic
• irreproachable
• immaculate
• sanctimonious
• spotless
• inoffensive
• unerring
• law-abiding
• self-righteous
• scrupulous
• uncorrupted
• upstanding
• menschy
• pharisaical
• incorrupt
• lily-white
• goody-goody
• rectitudinous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evil
• wicked
• unrighteous
• sinful
• wrong
• bad
• immoral
• dishonorable
• dishonest
• improper
• unethical
• indecent
• corrupt
• incorrect
• unseemly
• depraved
• naughty
• unbecoming
• perverted
• degenerate
• dissolute
• unscrupulous
• indecorous
• debased
• debauched
• unprincipled
• villainous
• infamous
• vicious
• vile
• evil-minded
• atrocious
• low
• mean
• reprobate
• base
• libertine
• objectionable
• offensive
• blameworthy
• iniquitous
• nefarious
• errant
• fallen
• erring

2

as in honest

following the accepted rules of moral conduct

righteous behavior is its own reward

Synonyms & Similar Words

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• noble
• respectable
• upright
• decent
• principled
• good
• upstanding
• just
• blameless
• conscientious
• guiltless
• nice
• unimpeachable
• virtuous
• moral
• unassailable
• proper
• stand-up
• irreproachable
• respected
• chivalrous
• incorruptible
• polite
• classy
• high-minded
• right-minded
• scrupulous
• uncorrupted
• reputable
• fair
• decorous
• seemly
• menschy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unrighteous
• unjust
• unworthy
• evil
• criminal
• dishonorable
• dishonest
• ignoble
• low
• sinful
• unprincipled
• unethical
• base
• corrupt
• immoral
• bad
• wicked
• crooked
• iniquitous
• nefarious
• reprehensible
• mean
• rotten
• unfair
• roguish
• vile
• unscrupulous
• rascally
• villainous
• wretched
• culpable
• knavish
• blameworthy
• blackguardly
• depraved
• censurable
• perverse
• loose
• scoundrelly
• blamable
• shameful
• perverted
• disgraceful
• degenerate
• dissolute
• disreputable
• venal
• profligate
• decadent
• degraded
• debased
• debauched
• libertine
• demoralized
• dissipated
• reprobate

3

as in excellent

slang of the very best kind

a nightspot that's a dependable venue for righteous jazz

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excellent
• wonderful
• great
• awesome
• lovely
• beautiful
• terrific
• superb
• fabulous
• fantastic
• stellar
• prime
• marvelous
• fine
• heavenly
• hot
• divine
• classic
• famous
• brave
• noble
• quality
• cool
• neat
• good
• superior
• splendid
• superlative
• sensational
• supernal
• groovy
• slick
• dandy
• peachy
• grand
• first-rate
• high-class
• exceptional
• par excellence
• first-class
• radical
• swell
• top
• blue-ribbon
• top-shelf
• immense
• choice
• capital
• top-notch
• banner
• sterling
• first-string
• dynamite
• unsurpassed
• dope
• topping
• boss
• too much
• out-of-sight
• out of this world
• keen
• nifty
• decent
• mean
• frontline
• prize
• cracking
• crackerjack
• fab
• wizard
• bully
• topflight
• better
• fantabulous
• number one
• bumper
• gone
• blue-chip
• peachy keen
• acceptable
• primo
• adequate
• bonny
• A-OK
• hype
• bang-up
• A1
• tip-top
• phat
• gangbusters
• satisfactory
• jim-dandy
• prizewinning
• special
• numero uno
• down
• brag
• corking
• top-of-the-line
• tolerable
• boffo
• five-star
• classical
• traditional
• four-star
• gilt-edged
• all right
• OK
• passable
• high-grade
• fancy
• premium
• standard
• select
• high-test
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• terrible
• vile
• awful
• wretched
• pathetic
• rotten
• lousy
• atrocious
• bad
• inferior
• unsatisfactory
• execrable
• substandard
• low-grade
• mediocre
• second-class
• middling
• second-rate

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

Recent Examples of righteous

Something in the liberal heart recoils in the face of righteous ruthlessness. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Still, what an enviable thing to toil in a righteous cause, and to act with such certainty that humane education fosters freedom. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026

Margo Price is celebrating July 4 weekend in typically righteous fashion, surprise releasing a protest album—or mixtape, per a press release—comprising a series of covers and a few originals. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026

Randy Quaid played the tipsy Vietnam vet and former alien abductee Russell Casse, who ultimately delivers righteous vengeance upon Earth’s otherworldly invaders. — Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026