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.

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