righteous

/ˈraɪtʃəs/

/ˈraɪtʃɪs/

Do you consider yourself a moral person, who tries to do good and be good? If the answer is yes, you are righteous — in the right.

Being righteous literally means to be right, especially in a moral way. Religious people often talk about being righteous. In their view, the righteous person not only does the right thing for other people but also follows the laws of their religion. Heroes like Martin Luther King are often called righteous. On the other hand, this word can be a little negative. If you call someone self-righteous, it means they're a little too sure they're right and better than other people.

Definitions of righteous

1. adjective

   morally justified
   “righteous indignation”

   synonyms:

   moral

   concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
2. adjective

   characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice
   “"the...prayer of a righteous man availeth much"- James 5:16”

   synonyms:

   good

   morally admirable

   clean-handed, guiltless, innocent

   free from evil or guilt

   just

   used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting

   moral

   concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

   good, just, upright

   of moral excellence

   sound

   free from moral defect

   virtuous

   morally excellent

   worthy

   having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable

   antonyms:

   unrighteous

   not righteous

   evil

   morally bad or wrong

   guilty

   responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act

   unjust

   violating principles of justice

   immoral

   deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong

   sinful, unholy, wicked

   having committed unrighteous acts

   wicked

   morally bad in principle or practice

   unworthy

   lacking in value or merit