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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective righteous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of righteous are ethical, moral, noble, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

Where would ethical be a reasonable alternative to righteous?

The meanings of ethical and righteous largely overlap; however, ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

When would moral be a good substitute for righteous?

Although the words moral and righteous have much in common, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

When might noble be a better fit than righteous?

While the synonyms noble and righteous are close in meaning, noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

When could virtuous be used to replace righteous?

While in some cases nearly identical to righteous, virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

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 righteous The constant is the archetype of one righteous man with the courage to save the day. Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025 But conservatives like Trump have used those words to try to fool us into believing that one of the most famous and righteous Black men in this nation’s history was against affirmative action and anything that has to do with diversity, equity and inclusion. Leonard Greene, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025 My parents wouldn’t have survived without the help of some righteous Poles. Martin Kimel, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025 Soderbergh raises the level of difficulty here by having flashback sequences feature a young Stamp from the 1967 film Poor Cow, but the real star is 1999 Stamp, who is all snarl and righteous menace as the former hitman bent on revenge. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for righteous
Adjective
  • After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Quang enjoyed a successful pharmaceutical sales stint as a top producer for Astra/Merck and then Genentech.
    Quang X. Pham, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • This courageous display helped convince the West that providing Ukraine arms aid was honorable and beneficial.
    Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Without fair elections, an honest media environment and a credible opposition, voters can’t correct their country’s course at the ballot box, providing competitive authoritarian regimes little incentive to do anything but enrich themselves.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
  • But to be honest the significant immune support is more than enough to keep me taking it.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Alabama got 24 points from Mark Sears and had excellent defensive stretches but couldn’t finish.
    Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 2 Mar. 2025
  • More Deebo Samuel news: 49ers Send Star WR Deebo Samuel to Commanders in Blockbuster Trade Samuel will take his talents to the nation's capital and look to take the Commanders to the next level after an excellent year for the young Washington team.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But sometimes, staying is the more ethical choice, Rutgers philosophy professor Alex Guerrero told Morning Edition host A Martínez.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025
  • As audiences continue to grow, the demand for authentic and ethical content has never been more important.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • What a shame that the modern historical record fails to support such a noble impulse...
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The science-fiction saga sees two forces who fight for control of the galaxy, the noble Ones and the evil Zeros, descending upon the French fishing village of Audresselles and trying to recruit the locals to their respective causes.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • So actually, the story can be looked at as a celebration of the fact that your disability can just be one wonderful part of you.
    Esme Mazzeo, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • And if your neighborhood doesn’t, start one! Start a Book or Card Club There’s so many wonderful books out there just waiting to be discussed.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This becomes even more true if a recession does result.
    Steve Banker, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • And even if that stuff weren’t true, there are already plenty of budget-friendly retailers who serve the consumer audience that wants that look, like Zara, COS, H&M, and literally countless others.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • By Nellie Bowles March 31, 2020 Get Outside and Safely Visit a National Park Now is the time to start looking ahead, to spring and summer excursions in the great outdoors.
    Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Although Seattle’s skill talent has been great, Smith has never played behind even an average offensive line, and his last two offensive coordinators weren’t good enough to keep their jobs.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/righteous. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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