Righteous
Adjective
Definition: Morally right or justifiable; virtuous.
Synonyms: Moral, Upright, Ethical
Antonyms: Immoral, Corrupt, Wicked
Examples:
- He was known for his righteous behavior and honesty.
- The judge made a righteous judgment based on the evidence presented.
Mnemonics:
- "Righteous" sounds similar to "right" and implies doing what is right.
Etymology:
Origin:
Old English 'rihtwis', from riht ('right') + wis ('wise, mannered')
Historical Usage:The term has been used since Old English and has retained its core meaning of moral correctness.
Related Idioms:
Idiom:
"Self-righteous"
Explanation:Refers to a person who believes they are morally superior to others and judges them harshly based on their own standards of righteousness.
Misconceptions:
Misconception:
Confusing "righteous" with "self-righteous."
Explanation:While "righteous" implies moral correctness, "self-righteous" has a negative connotation of arrogance and an excessive sense of moral superiority.