1
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue
a righteous man can be trusted to act honorably regardless of the circumstances
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honest
following the accepted rules of moral conduct
righteous behavior is its own reward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excellent
slang
of the very best kind
a nightspot that's a dependable venue for righteous jazz
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 righteous
The Los Angeles quartet will be the first to square their righteous politics with the day-to-day realities of making their band financially sustainable.
—
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
This, in turn, reinforced Webster’s own initial claim about his fight with the MPD cop—that Rathbun had provoked the encounter by striking him in the head, then lied about it to counter Webster’s righteous assertion of self-defense, resulting in his wrongful conviction.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
At the core of this extremism is the dangerous view that the founders viewed aggrieved citizens who attack the government through armed violence as righteous patriots, rather than the enemies of the state.
—Douglas Letter, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
My parents had no idea what to do with that righteous anger.
—Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for righteous
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
This, in turn, reinforced Webster’s own initial claim about his fight with the MPD cop—that Rathbun had provoked the encounter by striking him in the head, then lied about it to counter Webster’s righteous assertion of self-defense, resulting in his wrongful conviction.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
At the core of this extremism is the dangerous view that the founders viewed aggrieved citizens who attack the government through armed violence as righteous patriots, rather than the enemies of the state.
—Douglas Letter, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
My parents had no idea what to do with that righteous anger.
—Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for righteous
Adjective
-
Though the art that first spoke to me was honest and honorable depictions of Black life, I have since been inspired, gutted and changed by artists from all walks of life.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson called LaMalfa an honorable public servant and recounted the two working together to deliver help for wildfire victims.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But these songs are also honest, sometimes despite themselves, about the feelings of impotence associated with watching history play out on a screen.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
At least Mamdani was honest and campaigned as a socialist.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Use Dryer Balls to Keep Sheets Separated Dryer balls are an excellent tool for combating tangled sheets.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Karp’s defense of Epstein raises ethical and professional questions.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The party is attempting to establish itself as the responsible anchor of a fragile coalition — a role that demands ethical clarity, internal coherence, and strategic restraint.—
Sam Mkokeli,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Netflix's Bridgerton is a Regency-era series about the romantic follies of the noble Bridgerton family.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Values to be tested Its obsession is also unusual in an industry prone to mission drift, where tech companies are founded on noble notions of improving humanity — before the obligations to investors take over.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Playing a thinly disguised version of himself, Reynolds is, as Schneeberger and Neibaur point out, funny, exasperating, and moving, and Rifkin’s impeccable tailoring of the role to fit his star gives Reynolds a wonderful summation with which to end his career.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Welcome to the wonderful world of better coffee.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s true, even though the odds of getting hurt during travel are generally higher when driving.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Exercises like Aron’s 36 questions are designed to reveal the most interesting, truest things about a person, and self‑ disclosure, trust building, and mutual appreciation accelerate closeness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s also a 55% greater chance of obesity and a 40% higher probability of developing type 2 diabetes.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Punishing success is a great formula for losing the successful.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/righteous. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
