UNRIGHTEOUS Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

unrighteous

adjective

ˌən-ˈrī-chəs

Definition of unrighteous

as in unlawful

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable an unrighteous act that cannot go unpunished by the congregation

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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 unrighteous Ivey recently described the LGBTQ community as unrighteous in a live stream from his Instagram account. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026 Ancient sacred writings teach us to avoid using unrighteous means to oppose the unrighteous demands of wicked rulers. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026 Spears writes of these unrighteous men matter-of-factly, avoiding the ad hominem attack, except for an occasional delicious arrow, including a recollection of the eternally white Timberlake meeting one of his rap heroes. — Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 24 Oct. 2023 Christ himself suffered on account of sins, once for all, the righteous one on behalf of the unrighteous. — Olivia Muenter, Woman's Day, 8 Feb. 2023 Many people, after all, think that the righteous should prosper and the unrighteous not. — Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 27 July 2021 He’s gone through buzzard-hot streaks and some slumps, at times taking wholly unrighteous shots, and none of that matters to the shooting guard. — Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 Apr. 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrighteous

Adjective

The party also viewed Yabloko’s stance on Ukraine as unlawful and tantamount to calling for the violation of Russia’s territorial integrity.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
The duo and two others, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, were hit with the worst charges — felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and other related offenses.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of unlawful

Adjective

When Russians embrace the Eurasian narrative, they are also engaged in the political project of rejecting Europe and the West, which Putin and his allies deride as decadent, declining, and immoral.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
In the realms of art, literature, film, and television, words and images that would once have been considered indecent, offensive, or immoral are now commonplace, especially in the West.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of immoral

Adjective

She’d been told that people outside her faith were evil, and yet her pastor’s wife had turned her away while these scientists were literally bending over to help her.

— Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
Still, there is much old-school horror fun to be had here, with costume designer Liz Keogh Palmer and the team of makeup artists especially deserving of credit with their mind-blowing work on various evil spirits.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of evil

Adjective

My prescribed low-carb, caffeine-free diet sounded horrifying on paper, but my sinful pleasures were replaced with a tasty, high-quality, and healthy alternative that left me more energized.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Critics also have challenged the report’s characterization of cases involving women, contending these were consensual affairs that were sinful but not abusive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026

Definition of sinful

Adjective

But Roy’s story of Annie (Arjun Raina), a New Delhi architecture student caught in a vicious cycle of failing and repeating his studies, gradually reveals itself as a sharp and poignant portrayal of youth, deftly poised between hope and cynicism.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
Lawsuits, bureaucratic battles, boisterously divisive council arguments and vicious social media debates have been part of Bloomfield life for years, and intensified during Danielle Wong’s contentious time as mayor.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of vicious

Adjective

Sensing a disconnect or worse, a feeling of being forgotten, Campbell this summer invited some of the men who wrote those letters to campus.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Dry weather periods are expected in Colorado, and wildfires tend to be worse during these times.

— Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of bad

Browse Nearby Words

unriddling

unrighteous

unrighteousness

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“Unrighteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrighteous. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unrighteous

adjective

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