What does unrighteously mean?
Unrighteously is an adverb meaning in an unrighteous manner, especially unfairly, unjustly, or wickedly. It is formed from the adjective unrighteous, which describes conduct that departs from what is morally right. The word commonly appears in discussions of law, politics, religion, literature, and personal responsibility, particularly when an action is described as deliberately unjust or harmful to others. For example, a decision may be called unrighteously made if it was influenced by favoritism or improper motives. Although unfairly is often a suitable general synonym, unrighteously carries a stronger moral judgment and may suggest injustice or wickedness. The term can also occur in formal or religious writing. In less formal contexts, unfairly may be preferable when the writer does not intend to make a profound moral accusation.
adverbIn an unrighteous or morally unjust manner; unfairly or wickedly.
- In a morally unjust, unfair, or wicked manner.
"The judge was accused of ruling unrighteously."
"The company was punished for treating its workers unrighteously."
"She condemned the decision as politically motivated and therefore unrighteously made."
Unrighteously can condemn conduct as not merely unfair, but morally wrong.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unrighteously come from?
Unrighteous combines the prefix un-, meaning “not,” with righteous, a word based on right in the sense of morally just or proper. The adverb unrighteously was formed by adding the suffix -ly to unrighteous, preserving its sense of acting in a morally unjust manner. Other formations based on the same right and righteous roots include righteousness, righteously, and unrighteousness.
How unrighteously is actually used
Somewhat formal and strongly moral in tone. It is often used in legal, political, religious, or literary contexts and can imply that an action was wicked or unjust, not merely mistaken.
Easily confused with unrighteously
Unrighteous is an adjective describing something morally wrong, whereas unrighteously is an adverb describing an action done in a morally unjust manner.