right 1 of 4

noun

Definition of rightnext
1
as in privilege
something to which one has a just claim everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

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2
as in claim
an entitlement to something what right do you have to tell us what to do?

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3
as in justice
the practice of giving to others what is their due activists who have fought all their lives for right

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right

2 of 4

adjective

ˈrīt How to pronounce right (audio)
1
as in true
following an original exactly a modern replica of an 18th-century British warship that is right in all of its details

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2
as in real
being exactly as appears or as claimed despite the name, New York's East River is a strait and not a right river

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3
as in correct
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard the obvious answer is not always the right one

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4
as in deserved
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong trying to do what is right

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5
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue a right woman who did not hang around waterfront bars

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6
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course the first city in America laid out with broad, right avenues

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7
as in normal
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions he hasn't been right since he suffered serious brain injury in the accident

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8
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation the right tool for the job

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right

3 of 4

adverb

1
as in just
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference stay right where you are

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2
as in straight
in a direct line or course walk right over here now

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3
as in very
to a great degree a right beautiful day we're having!

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4
as in immediately
without delay we'll leave right after dinner

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5
as in correctly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose you're not dressed right for an interview with a big-time law firm

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right

4 of 4

verb

as in to better

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word right different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of right are accurate, correct, exact, nice, and precise. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

In what contexts can accurate take the place of right?

While in some cases nearly identical to right, accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

When is it sensible to use correct instead of right?

The synonyms correct and right are sometimes interchangeable, but correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When might exact be a better fit than right?

In some situations, the words exact and right are roughly equivalent. However, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

When could nice be used to replace right?

While the synonyms nice and right are close in meaning, nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How are the words precise and exact related as synonyms of right?

Precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

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 right
Noun
But pressure from local religious lobbies stalled the process, local rights groups said. — Monika Pronczuk, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 Responsible citizens should not be required to obtain a government permit to exercise that right. — Chris Vincent, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Adjective
Storing potatoes in a breathable container, such as a burlap bag or an open basket, can also help maintain the right conditions to prevent sprouting. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026 Message the right person, propose the first step, and define what success looks like. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
Adverb
Fixing compliance after the fact costs more than building it right from the start. — Angela Palo, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 With no outs and the Royals’ Josh Rojas on first in the bottom of the ninth, the Royals’ Tyler Tolbert laid down a sacrifice bunt that rolled right in front of home plate. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Verb
Paul Toboni and Blake Butera have righted the ship far faster than anyone could have imagined. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 16 June 2026 The board’s decision acknowledged the seminary’s work to right its financial ship including increasing revenue, decreasing expenses and selling some of its property, Dockery said in his letter. — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for right
Recent Examples of Synonyms for right
  1. privilege
  2. claim
  3. justice
  4. true
  5. real
  6. correct
  7. deserved
  8. honorable
Noun
  • For the past two decades, watching Lionel Messi has been a joy, a privilege and a source of near-constant wonder.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The philosopher Michael Sandel (Rhodes Scholar, Harvard professor) accuses elites of hiding their privilege behind spurious claims of merit.
    — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • During years of low claim usage, or good years, the savings generated are enjoyed by the carrier.
    — Kumar Rupesh, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of claim
Noun
  • Progressive Christian leaders are also encouraging congregants to use their faith as the basis for their social justice activism.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • Any former employee who brought a complaint has a right to see justice carried out — not dropped simply because Benton quit.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Definition of justice
Adjective
  • The same may be true for military personnel, law enforcement officers, commercial drivers or others who are subject to strict workplace drug-testing programs.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • This is the true bureaucracy standing in the way of housing that families can afford — not federal programs or subsidies helping those very families stay housed.
    — Jake Day, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • The stage will combine an LED volume wall, advanced camera tracking and real-time 3D engines to blend physical sets and actors with digital environments.
    — Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
  • But beyond those dates, bookings for June 10 through July 19 totaled 430K nights, roughly flat compared to last year, suggesting no real uplift on those days, Linda Rollins, an AirDNA research analyst told the Miami Herald.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of real
Adjective
  • That report was correct, Swinehart said, but Smith told staff to release a statement saying Smith herself had trained Nicole Tepper.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Given the biases of the ICC, Secretary of State Rubio is correct in going after it.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • In all seriousness, Exposito may just want to let Mbappe have his well deserved moment in the sun.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • Cogan also said Zamabda deserved credit for sparing the government the difficulty and cost of going to trial.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of deserved
Adjective
  • That simple, honorable point about the dignity of emigrating remains painfully controversial in Dean’s home country and here.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Someone who lost their way despite their initial, honorable intentions.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Definition of honorable

Phrases Containing right

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rigging (up)
right
right and left
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Cite this Entry

“Right.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/right. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of right for Spanish Speakers

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