is not righteous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not righteous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is morally wrong or unjust. Example: "The actions taken by the organization in this matter is not righteous and should be condemned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

McCorkle's signature tone is not "righteous female rage": it is compassionate comedy.

The New York Times

Phrased in terms of the Euthyphro dilemma, their stance is fairly clear: What is righteous is not righteous because Heaven intends it.

SEP

Someone tells him, 'This is not the Way of a gentleman.' He says, 'May I reduce it to appropriating one chicken every month and wait until next year to stop?' If one knows that it is not righteous, then one should quickly stop" (3B8; Van Norden 2008, 83).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's hard to argue that enmity directed at a man who demonstrates his personal growth through further reported violence and homophobic ranting isn't righteous.

The Guardian - Opinion

They don't ask why they are not righteous themselves.

The New York Times - Arts

They are not righteous rebels or principled provocateurs.

The New York Times

If you're not righteous it can be a curse.

The Guardian - Music

"Many of the aspirants are not righteous people.

The Guardian

I am not righteous, I am not pious, I am just really lucky, fucking lucky, I have just never got on with drugs.

The Guardian

Marvis Frazier, then 11, remembered: "I said, 'Pop, what did you pray?' He said, 'I asked the Lord, I said, Lord, help me to kill this man because he's not righteous.' " As usual, this HBO work is smartly scored and packed with archival gems and colorful commentary.

The New York Times - Sports

The Muslim leaders and so-called clerics are not righteous or God fearing and as a result those under their influence are being entirely misguided.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For stronger impact, specify why something "is not righteous" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is not righteous" in informal settings where simpler terms like "unfair" or "wrong" would suffice. The phrase has a formal and somewhat elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not righteous" functions as a negative descriptor, indicating a lack of moral virtue or justification. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in contexts where actions, beliefs, or systems are deemed morally wrong or unethical.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not righteous" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a lack of moral justification or ethical integrity. Ludwig AI indicates it is used primarily in news and media, with some presence in scientific and wiki contexts. While the phrase is valid, it is advisable to use it with consideration of the context, avoiding overuse in casual conversations where simpler alternatives may be more suitable. Consider alternatives like "is unjust" or "is immoral" based on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unjust

Directly replaces "righteous" with its antonym "unjust".

is immoral

Replaces "righteous" with "immoral", focusing on a lack of moral principles.

is not ethical

Substitutes "righteous" with "ethical", highlighting a violation of ethical standards.

is not morally justifiable

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the lack of moral justification.

is not virtuous

Replaces "righteous" with "virtuous", emphasizing the absence of virtue.

is not morally sound

Uses "morally sound" as an alternative to "righteous", indicating a lack of moral integrity.

is reprehensible

Shifts the focus to the action being worthy of condemnation rather than lacking righteousness.

is not morally upright

Uses "morally upright" as alternative to "righteous", highlighting a lack of moral rectitude

is unconscionable

Indicates that the action goes against one's conscience or moral principles.

is indefensible

Highlights that the action cannot be defended or justified morally.

FAQs

What does "is not righteous" mean?

The phrase "is not righteous" indicates that something lacks moral justification or is contrary to ethical principles. It implies a strong sense of disapproval or condemnation.

How can I use "is not righteous" in a sentence?

You can use "is not righteous" to describe actions, decisions, or beliefs that you consider morally wrong. For example, "The politician's behavior in accepting bribes is not righteous."

What are some alternatives to "is not righteous"?

You can use alternatives such as "is unjust", "is immoral", or "is not ethical" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "is not righteous" formal or informal?

"Is not righteous" is generally considered a formal expression. In more casual contexts, simpler terms like "unfair" or "wrong" might be more appropriate.