right 1 of 4

noun

Definition of rightnext
1
as in privilege
something to which one has a just claim everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

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2
as in claim
an entitlement to something what right do you have to tell us what to do?

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3
as in justice
the practice of giving to others what is their due activists who have fought all their lives for right

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right

2 of 4

adjective

ˈrīt How to pronounce right (audio)
1
as in true
following an original exactly a modern replica of an 18th-century British warship that is right in all of its details

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2
as in real
being exactly as appears or as claimed despite the name, New York's East River is a strait and not a right river

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3
as in correct
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard the obvious answer is not always the right one

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4
as in deserved
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong trying to do what is right

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5
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue a right woman who did not hang around waterfront bars

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6
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course the first city in America laid out with broad, right avenues

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7
as in normal
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions he hasn't been right since he suffered serious brain injury in the accident

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8
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation the right tool for the job

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right

3 of 4

adverb

1
as in just
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference stay right where you are

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2
as in straight
in a direct line or course walk right over here now

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3
as in very
to a great degree a right beautiful day we're having!

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4
as in immediately
without delay we'll leave right after dinner

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5
as in correctly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose you're not dressed right for an interview with a big-time law firm

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right

4 of 4

verb

as in to better

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word right different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of right are accurate, correct, exact, nice, and precise. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

In what contexts can accurate take the place of right?

While in some cases nearly identical to right, accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

When is it sensible to use correct instead of right?

The synonyms correct and right are sometimes interchangeable, but correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When might exact be a better fit than right?

In some situations, the words exact and right are roughly equivalent. However, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

When could nice be used to replace right?

While the synonyms nice and right are close in meaning, nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How are the words precise and exact related as synonyms of right?

Precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of right
Noun
Unlike his predecessor Gustavo Petro, who was the only left-wing president in modern Colombian history, de la Espriella wants to shift the South American country to the right. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026 However, finding the right running short will still pay great dividends in both performance and style. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Before the unlock, investors were right to respect the supply risk. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Home plate umpire Dan Merzel made the call, which allowed Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones to score from third in a 2-2 game. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Draw a line between the two, and the institute falls right in the middle. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2026 That interloper was Shadow, who became Jackie's steadfast mate right up until her hospitalization last month. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Monday’s home run props will hopefully right the ship and bulge the profits, creating more wiggle room for another drought. — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Luckily, there are some easy fixes that will help right your system. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for right
Recent Examples of Synonyms for right
  1. privilege
  2. claim
  3. justice
  4. true
  5. real
  6. correct
  7. deserved
  8. honorable
Noun
  • There are certain elements of this that aren’t slowing down, and that’s a privilege.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • If their creations are deemed visually appealing, the males win the ultimate prize — mating privileges.
    — Dina Cheney, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • Wright’s claim that 5 to 7 million barrels per day are bypassing the Strait of Hormuz via pipelines appears to be accurate.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Tan Chow The city says those damage claims are under investigation.
    — Maddie White, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of claim
Noun
  • The incident raises alarms for Republican Baltimore County Delegate Kathy Szeliga, a critic of the state's juvenile justice system.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In March 2026, Didulo’s and Manz’s charges for intimidation of a justice-system participant were shelved due to lack of evidence, though prosecutors have one year to refile.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of justice
Adjective
  • But regardless of any lack of confidence in Hamas’ true intentions, in Mladenov’s faith in the ability to verify weapons decommissioning, or indeed Netanyahu’s own willingness to order any troop withdrawals, why poke Trump so publicly in the eye?
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • This problem-first strategy is crucial for unlocking AI's true potential.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • This is the second episode but, in some respects, the real kickoff to this new season.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The real causes of inflammation are dietary patterns that contain too many calories, too much sugar, or too much saturated fat.
    — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of real
Adjective
  • Many people struggled to determine how much liquid to add to dissolve the powder and the correct dose to draw up once it was dissolved.
    — C. Michael White, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And the only person who is the correct heir to the throne is Johnny Knoxville.
    — Julian Le Ballister, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • The toilet bowl has Díaz-Canel’s face painted on it, so people can leave their deserved offering.
    — Sarah Moreno August 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Netflix has already faced deserved criticism for its sports coverage, often turning live events into infomercials for its entertainment division.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of deserved
Adjective
  • Ingrid is an honorable and moral friend who facilitates her death while staying in a neighboring room.
    — Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Olson received a tactical operations support award from the sheriff’s department in 2023 and was scheduled to receive a five-year honorable service award this month.
    — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of honorable

Phrases Containing right

Browse Nearby Words

rigging (up)
right
right and left
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Cite this Entry

“Right.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/right. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on right

Nglish: Translation of right for Spanish Speakers

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