Meaning & use

righteousness

noun·Academic

The quality of being morally right or justifiable, or of acting in accordance with virtue and justice.

See it in a sentence

The preacher spoke passionately about living a life of righteousness and compassion.

His sense of righteousness made him quick to call out unfair treatment of others.

A note on using this word

Can carry a positive sense of moral integrity or, as "self-righteousness," a negative sense of smug superiority.

Words with a similar meaning

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

Words with an opposite meaning

wickednesssin

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