Righteous: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：morally upright (righteous)

righteous 🔊

/ˈraɪtʃəs/

adj.

To be morally good, just, or virtuous; acting in a way that is considered right.

Righteous superhero standing on rooftop at dusk

morally upright 🔊

➕

/ˈmɔːrəli ʌpˈraɪt/

adj.

Acting in accordance with moral principles; virtuous and just.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'rihtwīs': 'riht' (right) + 'wīs' (wise), meaning 'rightwise'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'right-eous' as 'right us' – always doing what is right for our community.

📖 Example

The young man felt a surge of righteous anger when he saw the bigger kid bullying the smaller one. 🔊 The young man felt a surge of righteous anger when he saw the bigger kid bullying the smaller one.

🔗 Collocations

righteous anger – Anger based on a strong sense of moral justice

righteous indignation – Strong displeasure over perceived unfairness or wrongdoing

righteous cause – A campaign or mission that is morally justified

🔄 Synonyms

virtuous (adj.) – Having high moral standards; righteous in character

moral (adj.) – Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior

ethical (adj.) – Relating to moral principles; morally correct

🚫 Antonyms

wicked (adj.) – Evil or morally wrong

immoral (adj.) – Not conforming to accepted standards of morality

unrighteous (adj.) – Not righteous; sinful or unjust

🌱 Derivatives

righteously (adv.) – In a righteous manner; with moral integrity

righteousness (n.) – The quality of being morally right or justifiable

📖 Cultural Story

Originating in legal and religious contexts, 'righteous' described those who lived according to divine or moral law. It appears in the Bible and early English law codes, signifying both civil and moral uprightness.