Righteousness Meaning
/ˈɹaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe quality or state of being righteous.
nounHoliness; conformity of life to the divine law.
Sentence Examples
Education is the path to happiness, peace, righteousness, and success.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The prophet preached about the importance of ____ and justice in daily life.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The preacher spoke of ____ as the foundation of a just society built on fairness and compassion.
Word Origin & History
From earlier rightwiseness, from Middle English rightwisnes, from Old English rihtwīsnes (“justice”), equivalent to righteous + -ness.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But in these days of fanaticism, that harsh and violent spirit is abroad, when men clothe their own angry passions in the garb of righteousness, and call persecution vindicating the honour of God."
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter IV, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 45:
"21 ¶ I hate, I despise your feast dayes, and I will not smell in your solemne assemblies.
22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings, and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
23 Take thou away from mee the noise of thy songs: for I will not heare the melodie of thy violes.
24 But let iudgement run downe as waters, and righteousnesse as a mightie streame."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Amos 5:21–24:
"By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect."
— 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Isaiah 44:6:
"Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth rightness at all times."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 106:3:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The prophet preached about the importance of ____ and justice in daily life.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The preacher spoke of ____ as the foundation of a just society built on fairness and compassion.