1
as in morality
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong
the laws do not always dictate righteousness, for what is legal is not always moral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in integrity
faithfulness to high moral standards
a life lived with righteousness guarantees that you will always respect yourself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of righteousness
Black troops’ contributions to the Union cause during the Civil War helped convince Abraham Lincoln of the righteousness of extending suffrage to Black men.
—
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Fisher will portray the recurring role of Michael Jorie, a dangerous killer with a warped sense of righteousness and piety to his beliefs that fuel his involvement in a southwestern gang with a long history of violence.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
For these early commentators, there is also a tension between Rebekah’s traditional feminine righteousness and her role in a fraud that was nevertheless necessary to fulfill a divine prophecy.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
If the owner of the store is the embodiment of the system, having mostly killed his emotions, then at the opposite end is Ogawa, who lives by morality and her own sense of righteousness.
—Blake Simons, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
This needs to change, both for practical reasons and the mental health of the millions for whom recycling is a matter of righteousness.
—Kerry Jackson, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
The Torah frames giving not only as a charitable act, but as righteousness.
—Meg Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Fisher will portray the recurring role of Michael Jorie, a dangerous killer with a warped sense of righteousness and piety to his beliefs that fuel his involvement in a southwestern gang with a long history of violence.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
For these early commentators, there is also a tension between Rebekah’s traditional feminine righteousness and her role in a fraud that was nevertheless necessary to fulfill a divine prophecy.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
If the owner of the store is the embodiment of the system, having mostly killed his emotions, then at the opposite end is Ogawa, who lives by morality and her own sense of righteousness.
—Blake Simons, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
This needs to change, both for practical reasons and the mental health of the millions for whom recycling is a matter of righteousness.
—Kerry Jackson, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
The Torah frames giving not only as a charitable act, but as righteousness.
—Meg Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for righteousness
Noun
-
Over the course of 10 years of activism, Maryam Shojaei has been arrested by Iran’s morality police, helped change FIFA policy, and watched her brother, Masoud, captain Iran’s national team.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Days ago, Vice President JD Vance urged the pope to stick to matters of morality.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the program, students will develop the core competencies needed to lead with integrity and drive meaningful organizational change.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, results from the Advanced Test Reactor indicated that ANEEL fuel pellets maintained their structural integrity after several months of testing.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All virtues rely on some set of conditions for their relevance.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This is non-serious lawmaking — a transparent virtue-signal rather than an effort at problem-solving.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That naturally raised questions, not about whether the laws of time and space had been upended but about the efficacy, and honesty, of the billing systems being used by the firms, the city or both.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But even though abusive relationships tend to form tragic patterns, honesty isn’t all that’s necessary for a good narrative, and this one proves repetitive.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ever get a craving for that goodness?—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Thank goodness Caribbean Hut does it the proper way — which is not on pizza.—
Andre James,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Further out, a cemetery monument stands in honor of the 150 people who died at the camp during their imprisonment.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Landmarks across the globe, from Prince’s beloved hometown Minnesota Twins baseball stadium, and NYC’s Times Square to Paris’ Eiffel Tower, were bathed in purple in honor of the maverick.—
Keith Murphy,
VIBE.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If the Sun is high in the lunar sky during the flyby, there will be few shadows, and the crew will be looking for subtle variations in surface color and rightness.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This sense of rightness — imperfect, but clarifying — is what gout offers as diagnosis.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Righteousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/righteousness. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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