RIGHTEOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does righteous mean? 

• RIGHTEOUS (adjective)
  The adjective RIGHTEOUS has 2 senses:

1. characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice

2. morally justified

  Familiarity information: RIGHTEOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RIGHTEOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice

Context example:

the...prayer of a righteous man availeth much

Similar:

good; just; upright (of moral excellence)

sound (free from moral defect)

Also:

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)

virtuous (morally excellent)

worthy (having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable)

Antonym:

unrighteous (not righteous)

Derivation:

righteousness (adhering to moral principles)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Morally justified

Context example:

righteous indignation

Similar:

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

 Context examples 

Besides, a little glow of righteous anger was springing up within me.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She could see no other righteous course to pursue.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

In the old days he would have sprung upon White Fang in a fury of righteous wrath.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Mr. Rochester, if ever I did a good deed in my life—if ever I thought a good thought—if ever I prayed a sincere and blameless prayer—if ever I wished a righteous wish,—I am rewarded now.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)