righteousness

noun

righ·​teous·​ness

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being righteous : conformity to the divine or the moral law : rectitude, uprightness

walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days

—Book of Common Prayer

belief that righteousness lies on the side of … property

—H. L. Matthews

2

obsolete : a righteous act, deed, or quality : righteous conduct

all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags

—Isaiah 64:6 (Authorized Version)

3

: the quality or state of being rightful or just

the righteousness of one's claim

4

: the state of acceptance with God : a right relationship to God : justification

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier rightwiseness, from Middle English rightwisenes, from Old English rihtwīsnes, from rihtwīs + -nes -ness

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Rhymes for righteousness

• unrighteousness