feeling of righteousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling of righteousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a strong sense of moral correctness or justification for one's actions or beliefs. Example: "After standing up for what she believed in, she was filled with a feeling of righteousness that motivated her to continue fighting for justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That feeling of righteousness is familiar to me from living in Russia.

The New Yorker

He began to derive a certain feeling of righteousness from the idea that, by allying himself with his father-in-law, he was taking the side of the people.

The New Yorker

The worst prospect is that Palestinians will dig in with a new feeling of righteousness and believe that the international community will force Israel to withdraw from its "illegal occupation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Waiting has hardened their belief of righteousness".

The New Yorker

The wave of guilt that I always feel upon turning someone down is immediately absolved by a feeling of self-righteousness that I have been taught to feel; that just because I have privilege and access to opportunity doesn't mean I'm obligated to share it.

Huffington Post

Those who at that time saw this troupe's production of "Being Harold Pinter," which traces themes of institutionalized violence in Pinter's work, might have been motivated by feelings of political righteousness.

The New York Times

The feeling of disdain is righteousness.

SEP

"This is becoming a very disturbing pattern: A small, uncompromising group, feeling the righteousness of their cause, hurt tens of thousands of innocent people and takes them hostage until they get their complete way," Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said.

Huffington Post

That stokes feelings of self-righteousness (and persecution) but does little to win wider support.

The Economist

With such reflection, human beings can recognize that virtue takes precedence over satisfaction of potentially conflicting desires and feelings (e.g., the priority of righteousness over the desire for life if one cannot have both), but lack of reflection will stunt moral development (6A9).

SEP

These feelings run deep, and this streak of righteousness in the American public even predates the country itself.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "feeling of righteousness" to describe a strong, often subjective, sense of moral justification. Be aware that it can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying self-righteousness or a lack of empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of righteousness" when objective justification is needed. Righteousness implies a personal, often emotional conviction, while justification requires external validation or logical reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of righteousness" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a subjective experience or state of mind related to moral justification. Ludwig AI shows examples where it represents a personal conviction or sense of moral correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling of righteousness" describes a subjective sense of moral correctness or justification. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as a noun phrase, often used in news and media and scientific discussions. While grammatically correct, it's important to be aware that the phrase can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying self-righteousness. Consider alternatives such as "sense of moral superiority" or "conviction of rectitude" depending on the intended nuance. Ultimately, as Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a valid and usable expression in English, but writers should be mindful of its potential implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of moral superiority

Emphasizes a feeling of being better than others morally.

conviction of rectitude

Highlights a strong belief in one's own righteousness or moral correctness.

feeling of moral justification

Highlights the feeling of being justified in one's actions based on moral principles.

self-righteous indignation

Combines righteousness with anger or annoyance at perceived wrongdoing.

belief in one's own virtue

Focuses on the conviction of possessing positive moral qualities.

sense of unimpeachable integrity

Implies a feeling of having honesty and strong moral principles.

assurance of moral correctness

Indicates a confident certainty about one's moral stance.

sense of ethical superiority

Highlights the belief in being ethically more advanced or correct.

moral high ground

Refers to a position of moral advantage or superiority.

air of self-approval

Suggests a demeanor of satisfaction with one's own moral standing.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "feeling of righteousness" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of righteousness" to describe someone's strong conviction that their actions are morally justified. For example: "After standing up for her beliefs, she was filled with a "feeling of righteousness".

What is a good substitute for "feeling of righteousness"?

Alternatives to "feeling of righteousness" include "sense of moral superiority", "conviction of rectitude", or "sense of justice" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to have a "feeling of righteousness"?

Having a "feeling of righteousness" means experiencing a strong sense of moral correctness or justification, often leading to a belief that one's actions are morally sound and defensible.

Is a "feeling of righteousness" always positive?

Not necessarily. While it can motivate positive actions, a "feeling of righteousness" can also lead to self-righteousness or a lack of empathy if it's not balanced with humility and understanding of different perspectives.