What does righteous mean?
Righteous is an adjective meaning morally upright, just, and guided by a strong sense of what is right. In approving contexts, it describes people whose conduct is ethically admirable and causes or convictions that are considered justified. The word also has a more restricted use for intense anger or indignation that is felt to be morally defensible, as in the familiar phrase “righteous indignation.” Its religious associations are strong, recalling biblical language and the traditional contrast between the righteous and the wicked, although it is not limited to religious subjects. In modern English, the related expression “self-righteous” is usually negative: it suggests that someone believes their own views or conduct are unquestionably superior to those of others. Righteous is therefore useful when describing principled behavior, a justified cause, or indignation that has a clear moral basis, but its praiseworthy tone should be distinguished from the more critical idea of self-righteousness.
adjectiveMorally good or upright; having a strong sense of what is right and just. It can also mean justified or appropriate, or describe anger or indignation that is considered morally warranted.
- Morally good, upright, or behaving according to what is right and just.
- Justified or appropriate, especially in reference to a cause or course of action.
- Feeling or expressing morally justified anger or indignation.
"Her righteous opposition to the injustice won widespread support."
"The community praised her righteous commitment to protecting the vulnerable."
"The minister responded with righteous indignation at the accusations."
Righteous began in Old English as rihtwīs, literally “right-wise”: someone who knew and followed what was right.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does righteous come from?
Righteous comes from Old English rihtwīs, formed from riht, meaning “right” or “just,” and wīs, meaning “wise” or “wise.” The word originally conveyed the idea of being right-minded and upright, and it developed strong religious associations through its use in Christian texts. Its relatives right, rightful, rightly, and upright share the same Germanic heritage or root elements, although their modern meanings and forms differ.
Related word forms
How righteous is actually used
The word is often approving and moral in tone, especially in religious or political contexts. It can sound old-fashioned or formal in some uses, while “self-righteous” is generally derogatory and implies unwarranted certainty about one own moral superiority.
Easily confused with righteous
Rightful most often means morally proper or legally entitled, whereas righteous usually emphasizes moral goodness, integrity, or justified anger.