righteous

  • 1Righteous — Right eous, a. [OE. rightways, rightwise, AS. rightw[=i]s; riht right + w[=i]s wise, having wisdom, prudent. See {Right}, a., {Wise}, a.] Doing, or according with, that which is right; yielding to all their due; just; equitable; especially, free… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2righteous — [rī′chəs] adj. [altered, by analogy with adjs. in EOUS < ME rihtwis < OE: see RIGHT & WISE] 1. acting in a just, upright manner; doing what is right; virtuous [a righteous man] 2. morally right; fair and just [a righteous act] 3 …

    English World dictionary

  • 3righteous — index clean, conscientious, equitable, ethical, high minded, just, law abiding, meritorious, moral …

    Law dictionary

  • 4righteous — (adj.) early 16c. alteration of rightwise, from O.E. rihtwis, from riht (see RIGHT (Cf. right)) + wis wise, way, manner. Suffix altered by influence of courteous, etc. Meaning genuine, excellent is c.1900 in jazz slang. Related: Righteousness …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5righteous — virtuous, noble, *moral, ethical Analogous words: *upright, honest, just, honorable Antonyms: iniquitous Contrasted words: *vicious, nefarious, flagitious, corrupt: profligate, dissolute, reprobate, *abandoned …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 6righteous — [adj] good, honest angelic, blameless, charitable, commendable, conscientious, creditable, deserving, devoted, devout, dutiful, equitable, ethical, exemplary, fair, faithful, godlike, guiltless, holy, honorable, impartial, innocent,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 7righteous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ morally right or justifiable. DERIVATIVES righteously adverb righteousness noun …

    English terms dictionary

  • 8righteous — righteously, adv. /ruy cheuhs/, adj. 1. characterized by uprightness or morality: a righteous observance of the law. 2. morally right or justifiable: righteous indignation. 3. acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous: a righteous and godly… …

    Universalium

  • 9righteous — [[t]ra͟ɪtʃəs[/t]] ADJ GRADED If you think that someone behaves or lives in a way that is morally good, you can say that they are righteous. People sometimes use righteous to express their disapproval when they think someone is only behaving in… …

    English dictionary

  • 10righteous — /ˈraɪtʃəs / (say ruychuhs) adjective 1. characterised by uprightness or morality: a righteous act. 2. morally right or justifiable: righteous indignation. 3. in accordance with right; upright or virtuous: a righteous and godly man. –phrase 4. the …