Synonyms of rightful

rightful

adjective

ˈrīt-fəl 

as in deserved

being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong

in light of her admission of having lied, the only rightful course of action for the governor would be to resign

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deserved
• justified
• legal
• proper
• legitimate
• due
• right
• competent
• appropriate
• suitable
• fair
• condign
• merited
• lawful
• warranted
• just
• equitable
• correct
• requisite
• fitting
• apt
• meet
• applicable
• strict
• true
• accurate
• fit
• uncompromising
• impartial
• stringent
• square
• rhadamanthine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfair
• undue
• unjust
• unwarranted
• unjustified
• undeserved
• irrelevant
• improper
• unreasonable
• incorrect
• partial
• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• unjustifiable
• unequal
• unmerited
• incoherent
• indefensible
• inapplicable
• inequitable
• arbitrary
• irrelative
• unlawful
• biased
• despotic
• illegitimate
• inapt
• inapposite

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rightful

Evotrex has built battery-boosting power generation into the core of its platform, giving it a rightful claim on the PG5 being a first of its kind. —New Atlas, 13 Jan. 2026

Moreover, either formal international recognition of Edmundo González Urrutia as Venezuela's rightful president-elect—the winer of the 2024 election that Maduro stole—or a clear timetable for free and fair presidential elections is essential. —Boris Muñoz, Time, 12 Jan. 2026

Candiace is thrilled to take her rightful place as a main character. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

Now, dealing with the same agent, there is rightful questioning about if the Pickens negotiation could follow the same trajectory. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026