ENGLISH
REFERENCE

righteousness

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈɹaɪtʃəsnəs// UK //ɹˈaɪtʃəsnəs// right·eous·ness Archaic

n. the quality of being morally right or good. It describes someone who follows a strict set of rules about what is fair and honest.

n. the quality of being morally upright or justifiable. Often carries a religious or highly formal connotation of being free from sin or guilt.


SIMPLE

She was motivated by a strong sense of righteousness.

CONTEXTUAL

The leader spoke with great righteousness, convinced that his cause was the only moral path forward.

COMPLEX

In many classical texts, righteousness is portrayed not merely as a personal virtue but as a social obligation to uphold the divine order of the universe.

Antonyms
Origin

From earlier rightwiseness, from Middle English rightwisnes, from Old English rihtwīsnes (“justice”), equivalent to righteous + -ness.

Usage

Uncountable in its abstract sense; frequently paired with 'sense of' or 'path of'.

© 2026 English Reference