sense of righteousness

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of righteousness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the feeling or belief that one is doing the right thing, especially in regards to ethics. For example: "The coalition of protestors marched on the state capitol with a strong sense of righteousness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some possess a keen sense of righteousness.

The New York Times

Still, a sense of righteousness filled the younger Franklin.

The New York Times - Sports

How a sense of righteousness corrupts and excuses.

The Guardian - Books

But others warn that Starbucks's sense of righteousness could backfire.

The Guardian - Business

Political isolation only deepens his martyr's sense of righteousness.

The Guardian

Preservation battles sometimes brought out Mr. Lavicka's fierce sense of righteousness.

The New York Times

Many people, with a sense of righteousness that we can only wonder at, now disapprove of Ellison.

The New Yorker

For now, clarity and a sense of righteousness have created the most potent American protest movement in a generation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Those who labeled themselves victims of addiction or abuse or bad parenting felt imbued with a sense of righteousness.

The New York Times - Magazine

The cultural left has taken up the rights agenda with energy and a sense of righteousness in recent years.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Germans, of course, are hardly alone in allowing their sense of righteousness to get in the way of sensible policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the potential for a "sense of righteousness" to become self-righteousness. Ensure that it is balanced with humility and empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of righteousness" to justify actions that may be harmful or insensitive to others. A true sense of righteousness should be tempered with empathy and a willingness to consider different perspectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of righteousness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a subjective feeling or belief. As Ludwig AI indicates, it expresses the feeling or belief that one is doing the right thing, especially regarding ethics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of righteousness" is a common noun phrase used to describe a strong belief in one's moral correctness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English, highlighting its relevance in ethical discussions. While it can be a powerful motivator for positive action, it's crucial to distinguish it from self-righteousness, which implies a judgmental and superior attitude. As evidenced by numerous examples in news and media sources, a "sense of righteousness" often drives individuals and movements, but needs to be tempered with empathy and a willingness to understand diverse perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conviction of being in the right

This alternative emphasizes a firm belief in the correctness of one's position.

belief in one's own rectitude

This alternative uses a more formal term, 'rectitude', to convey moral correctness.

feeling of moral superiority

This alternative highlights the aspect of believing one's morals are superior to others.

assurance of moral correctness

This alternative stresses the confidence in one's own moral standing.

feeling of ethical justification

This alternative focuses on the feeling of being ethically vindicated.

unshakeable belief in one's virtue

This alternative highlights the unwavering nature of the belief in one's own goodness.

self-righteous indignation

This alternative captures the anger fueled by a belief in one's own righteousness, when facing perceived injustice.

certitude of moral propriety

This alternative uses more formal language to emphasize the certainty of one's moral correctness.

moral high ground

This alternative refers to the perceived position of superiority in a moral debate or situation.

a sanctimonious attitude

This alternative focuses on the external behavior that often accompanies a strong sense of righteousness, suggesting it can come across as holier-than-thou.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of righteousness" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of righteousness" to describe a person's strong belief in their moral correctness. For example, "Driven by a /s/conviction+of+being+in+the+right, she dedicated her life to fighting injustice."

What is the difference between "sense of righteousness" and self-righteousness?

"Sense of righteousness" refers to a genuine belief in one's own moral correctness, while self-righteousness implies a smug, superior attitude and judgment of others. Self-righteousness is often seen as a negative trait.

What are some phrases similar to "sense of righteousness"?

Similar phrases include /s/feeling+of+moral+superiority, /s/conviction+of+being+in+the+right, and /s/belief+in+one's+own+rectitude. The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always good to have a "sense of righteousness"?

While a "sense of righteousness" can motivate positive action, it's important to balance it with humility and empathy. An unchecked "sense of righteousness" can lead to judgmental behavior and a lack of understanding for differing perspectives.