rights 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rights

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of right

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 rights
Noun
Surrounded by some of the state capital’s oldest buildings, the Green is where troops once assembled during the American Revolution and where suffragettes campaigned for women’s rights. Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026 Although Blatter himself was not charged in the investigation, his regime collapsed under the weight of hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes for TV rights and other spoils, and he was soon banned from international football for ethical breaches. Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026 South Africa has a history of violence sparked by anger over the presence of migrants, including in 2008 when more than 60 people were killed in what international rights groups called xenophobic attacks on foreigners. ABC News, 7 June 2026 The nonprofit conservation group Survival International, which focuses on the rights of indigenous people, says massive tourism risks contact between the island's indigenous tribe and outside visitors. Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 7 June 2026 Several attendees Saturday spoke about how important going to the event and celebrating LGBTQ identities feels right now, amid attacks on trans rights and other movements. Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026 The game was originally scheduled at Madison Square Garden but is being relocated after broadcast rights dispute between the Big Ten and Fox. Greg Cote june 7, Miami Herald, 7 June 2026 After years of development with various screenwriters and believing no child actor could play the role, Kubrick passed the rights to Spielberg. Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026 All of which is to say, blood ties supersede an individual’s rights. Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rights
Noun
  • Built around recognition that is truly personalized and with benefits that are confirmed from the moment of booking, Diamond Reserve delivers a more elevated set of privileges for Hilton’s most frequent guests.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 4 June 2026
  • After someone puts themself on the exclusion list, casinos must deny them gaming privileges, the council said.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • The amount will depend on the number of valid claims submitted and the amount remaining in the fund after portions are distributed to pay attorneys, expenses and other fees.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 7 June 2026
  • Welker asked Trump about his cheating claims.
    Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • There are so many reasons to be mad; the mostly baseless and endless attacks on higher education, the dismantling of life-saving research, ICE, the subverting of policy that redresses shameful social harms.
    Wendy Nelson Espeland, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • There are so many reasons to be mad; the mostly baseless and endless attacks on higher education, the dismantling of life-saving research, ICE, the subverting of policy that redresses shameful social harms.
    Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But even putting such public health prerogatives aside, such mandates can serve as powerful protections that advance the interests of children who themselves would otherwise have gone unvaccinated.
    Adam W. Gaffney, STAT, 18 May 2026
  • Some of the players involved said Lurie is still trying to figure out how to balance competing prerogatives without damaging his relationships.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Perfection is inhuman, and pretensions to it are both doomed and misbegotten.
    Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
  • The digs at the pretensions of artists, channeled through Claire’s decision to make her death a public spectacle in order to secure some future fame, are less amusing here because the blows never seem to quite connect with their targets.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Traffic management will begin four hours before each match and continue up to four hours after, with residents divided on whether the requirement improves safety or creates an inconvenience.
    Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
  • Operators might buy new server racks every couple of years as the technology improves.
    Marc Levy, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • If the Sharks make the playoffs next season and Celebrini betters his 115-point total from this season, wouldn’t his next deal become that much more expensive?
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Nothing betters the gift of time.
    Brie Stimson , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This bundle remedies the common storage complaint by including a USB hub along with a 512GB SD card, giving you way more room for files than any other machine in this rundown.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Packing motion sickness remedies ahead of time is an easy way to avoid scrambling if the ship starts rocking.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rights. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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