god-given right

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A right that people believe God has given to everyone and that cannot be taken away.

   Grammar: Countable: a god-given right, the god-given right to do something.

   Patterns

   • a god-given right
   • the god-given right to do something

   Many people see freedom of speech as a god-given right.

   They argued that education is a god-given right for every child.

2. 2nounsingulardisapproving

   Something someone treats as if they deserve it, often when others find this annoying.

   Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'act as if it's a god-given right' or 'treat something as a god-given right'.

   Patterns

   • treat something as a god-given right
   • act as if something is a god-given right

   He acts as if a parking space outside his house is a god-given right.

   She treats my help as a god-given right and never says thank you.

Word forms

Common combinations

a god-given right to something

They believe they have a god-given right to use the land.

treat something as a god-given right

Don't treat my kindness as a god-given right.

act as if it's a god-given right

He acts as if it's a god-given right to interrupt me.

see something as a god-given right

Some people see free parking as a god-given right.

Synonyms and how they differ

natural right

More legal or philosophical and does not mention God; 'god-given right' is more religious or emotional.

birthright

Means a right you have from birth, often by family or nationality, not necessarily from God.

Word family

god-given adjective

Given by God; used before a noun, as in 'god-given talent'.

right noun

Something that is morally or legally allowed; the base word in this phrase.

Commonly confused: god-given right or human right?

Practice

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