righteous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "righteous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in various contexts to describe someone who is morally correct or has justly done something. Example sentence: His actions were righteous as he chose to donate to the homeless shelter rather than buy himself a new car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Music

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

In those days, sex and speed could not sell a Volvo, but righteous piety could.

The Guardian

I did sing about angels, I did sing 'I am the resurrection', but I felt righteous in them days".

The Guardian - Music

The modest sound of a damehood, however – along with the righteous spectacle of a gender imbalance being corrected – still ensures that the average new dame will find the world beaming right back at this purported triumph for equality/the working classes/her grandchildren.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ibrahim Ahmed gives a fine performance as a martyred herdsman, while Sissako rustles up a rich and nuanced overview of a nation in crisis, swinging gracefully from gentle satire to righteous rage.

The Guardian - Film

I don't take myself too seriously, but I do feel righteous, because I live a righteous life".

The Guardian - Music

Dale is also the official leader of Voices for Women, and of mums4justice, which was registered as a political party in December 2006 – six months after Mums' Army – and is Take a Break's righteous riposte to Fathers4Justice, with a platform demanding that divorced dads pay their child support, tell the truth about their circumstances and stick to their agreed visiting arrangements.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

I wish it were not so, but it is, and when Peter Carey asks if it's even a free speech issue, and calls PEN self-righteous for taking it up, and then attacks the entire nation of France for its arrogance; and when Teju Cole says that Israel is the cause of anti-semitism; then you have some very unfortunate bedfellows indeed.

The Guardian - Books

From busy roads to quiet estate pathways, canal towpaths to back streets, they move with astonishingly little regard for anyone else, leaving old and young, pedestrians and fellow two-wheelers spinning in their self-righteous wake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In such a context, that the Paisleyites did not win more decisively last week was a comment on the profound distrust of vast layers of Northern Irish Protestant society for the intransigent and self-righteous politicians of the DUP.

The Guardian

The same goes for Orange Is The New Black: trite, self-righteous thunderguff.

The Guardian

Orsini is supposed to bump the count off so Cesare can conquer his fictional domain of Citta del Monte, but in the event he gets self-righteous and switches sides.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "righteous" to convey a strong sense of moral or ethical correctness, particularly when discussing actions or beliefs aligned with religious or legal standards. Remember that it can sometimes carry a connotation of self-importance or moral superiority, so consider your audience and context carefully.

Common error

Avoid using "righteous" too frequently in casual conversation or informal writing. Its strong moral tone can sound overly formal or even pompous in settings where a more relaxed tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "righteous" primarily functions to ascribe moral virtue or justification to a noun. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it signifies freedom from sin or guilt, moral and virtuous character, or moral justification, exemplified in phrases like "righteous rage" and "a righteous life".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

18%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Music

12%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "righteous" is a versatile adjective used to describe moral correctness, ethical behavior, or religious justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While it often conveys a sense of strong approval or moral certitude, its formality makes it less suitable for casual contexts. "Righteous" is commonly found in news and media, as well as in formal and business writing, indicating its prevalence across different registers. Synonyms like "morally upright" or "virtuous" can offer less weighty alternatives, while understanding the potential for misinterpretation as "self-righteous" is crucial for effective communication. Use "righteous" when you aim to highlight a strong moral component in an action, belief, or cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally upright

Focuses specifically on adherence to moral principles, omitting the potential for religious justification.

virtuous

Highlights the presence of moral excellence and goodness, without necessarily implying legal or religious justification.

just

Emphasizes fairness and impartiality in actions or decisions, differing from the inherent moral component.

honorable

Conveys a sense of dignity and integrity, placing less emphasis on religious or legal blamelessness.

ethical

Implies conformity to accepted principles of right conduct, potentially based on secular or professional standards.

good

A more general term for moral positivity, less specific than "righteous" in its scope.

principled

Stresses adherence to a specific set of beliefs or values, differing from universal moral standards.

blameless

Indicates freedom from fault or wrongdoing but does not necessarily highlight active moral goodness.

irreproachable

Suggests conduct beyond criticism or reproach, shifting focus from active morality to lack of negative actions.

saintly

Emphasizes extreme moral or spiritual purity, carrying a stronger religious connotation than "righteous".

FAQs

How can I use "righteous" in a sentence?

You can use "righteous" to describe actions, people, or causes that are morally justifiable or virtuous. For example, "He felt a "righteous anger" over the injustice."

What's a less formal synonym for "righteous"?

While "righteous" carries a formal and somewhat weighty tone, you might consider using "virtuous", "just", or "ethical" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "righteous" to describe a non-religious act?

Yes, while "righteous" often has religious connotations, it can also describe any act that aligns with strong moral principles, even if those principles are not explicitly religious. For example, helping someone in need can be considered a "righteous act".

What's the difference between "righteous" and "self-righteous"?

"Righteous" describes someone who is genuinely moral and just. "Self-righteous", on the other hand, describes someone who believes they are morally superior to others and often expresses this belief in a judgmental way.