Definition of unrighteousnext
as in unlawful
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable an unrighteous act that cannot go unpunished by the congregation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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
  • Spires is also charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a dangerous person and three misdemeanors, while Wilson is also charged with two misdemeanors, filings show.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Put more bluntly, sports event contracts are protected by federal law in some parts of the country but remain vulnerable elsewhere to states deeming them unlawful.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • He was branded a heretic, in part for preaching that the nobility were immoral and so was nobility itself.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Heilbrun was speaking to his evaluation of Clancy’s case and her understanding of what is immoral.
    NBC News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • As someone who isn’t a character person, the centerpiece for me is Villains Grove, which takes over the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail with projections and effects that nod to various evil characters.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Like Slaughterhouse–Five, Mother Night explores the shadowy line separating good and evil during wartime.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Kiss off the haters with a pretty wicked portrait from our Free Photobooth.
    Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Along with other large parts of Northwest Indiana, East Chicago was hit with power outages following a wicked storm that blasted through the area a week ago Tuesday.
    Lauren Victory, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Your husband merely identified the obvious, most vicious enemy of the people in straightforward terms.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Democrats have little trouble understanding that the right-wing infighting over Carlson is about whether the Republican tent, which already includes racists, nativists, and vicious Islamophobes, is also big enough to include anti-Semites.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Disgusted that any adult would ever consider exploiting a child in such a vile and predatory way.
    Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • His tenure came to an end when video surfaced of a drunken Galliano berating other customers at a Paris bar with vile antisemitic insults.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Although rarely seen, its reemergence earlier this summer is a signal of how bad the region’s ongoing drought has gotten, as well as a warning for the difficult months ahead.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Unrighteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrighteous. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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