righteous

[rahy-chuhs] / ˈraɪ tʃəs /

ADJECTIVE

good, honest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conscientious ethical honorable law-abiding noble pure spiritual upright virtuous

WEAK

angelic blameless charitable commendable creditable deserving devoted devout dutiful equitable exemplary fair faithful godlike guiltless holy impartial innocent irreproachable just laudable matchless meritorious moral peerless philanthropic philanthropical praiseworthy punctilious reverent right-minded saintly scrupulous sinless sterling trustworthy worthy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

corrupt dishonest immoral unethical unjust vulgar

WEAK

bad unfair

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I wanted to keep chasing the feeling that came from being on the right side of a righteous cause.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

It was righteous, and it was legal—he was sure of it.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

"It was in that moment that I knew I was not righteous anymore, and I knew I needed saving," he says.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

We are righteous: truth, justice and the American way.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Then everybody was on the floor and the beat got as righteous as it could get.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers