Meaning & use

rectitude

noun·Advanced

Strict moral integrity and correctness of conduct, especially in matters of honesty and principle.

See it in a sentence

The judge was respected throughout the county for her rectitude and refusal to accept favors.

He carried himself with a quiet rectitude that made even his critics trust his word.

A note on using this word

Rectitude is formal and often used in serious or moral contexts; it sounds stiff in casual conversation about small matters.

Words with a similar meaning

integrityuprightness

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

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