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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

right

3 of 4

adverb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in straight
in a direct line or course walk right over here now

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

right

4 of 4

verb

as in to better

Related Words

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

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

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

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
In rejecting the case, the high court again sidesteps a simmering battle that pits the right of parents to direct their child's care against policies enacted in recent years that aim to protect students' privacy and prevent public schools from outing transgender students to their families. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026 In February 2024, sales representatives from AGC International held buyer screenings of Desert Warrior for Netflix, Amazon, and every major studio; not one made an offer to acquire distribution rights. —Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The process to adopt a child from foster care includes training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you. —Mare Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026 Without the right tools, the job becomes harder, slower or even impossible. —Susan Carr, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Osmon points out that Mellencamp’s music has recently been covered by right-leaning country artists, including Trump supporters such as Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. —Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026 Todd Martens' newsletter delivers news and commentary on the past, present and future of theme parks, right from the theme park capital of the world — Southern California. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Nick Offerman rounds out the complex family unit as Margo’s estranged father, Jinx, a former pro wrestler fresh out of rehab who returns to her life in an attempt to right his wrongs. —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Magyar has promised to right the economy and rid the country of graft, studiously avoiding incendiary cultural issues. —Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 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
  • Disney had, for decades, enjoyed special privileges with its Walt Disney World propertyWalt Disney World property.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • During their custody battle, Richards launched accusations against her ex-husband, asking the court to protect their children from Sheen and remove his overnight privileges.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • The numbers also highlight how Safonov is making cross claims or sweeping outside his box more than twice the rate Chevalier is, although the Frenchman is more adept with his feet, playing more passes, completing a higher rate.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Lead with calm confidence, but keep your claims grounded.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of claim
Noun
  • For the early architects, food was always political and thus, so too was food justice—a direct affront to unfair systems.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Business leaders, cabinet members, and Supreme Court justices attended the event, which kicked off the United States’ 250th birthday celebrations.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of justice
Adjective
  • The Moon moves through your 1st House of Identity, bringing focus back to what’s true for you.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • While that’s still true, some of these rising players are feeling the pain of fickle production, too.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • And scratched nonstick pans are a real concern for most home cooks.
    — Jennifer Zyman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The milquetoast nature of the statement — with its measured language and nonexistent call to action — and the broader absence of real accountability have nagged at me for weeks.
    — Uzma Rentia, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of real
Adjective
  • If tracking and the dizzying pace of advance ticket sales are correct, 20th Century’s Prada 2 will earn nearly $200 million in its global debut alone.
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
  • If Tenev’s predictions are correct, though, crypto is likely to contribute to Robinhood’s growth in a significant but different manner.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • Anything less will keep the door wide open for the Pohlad family to be a lightning rod for criticism that is very much deserved.
    — Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Two goals in Atletico Madrid’s 5-2 Champions League last-16 first-leg win over Tottenham had earned him a deserved player of the match trophy.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of deserved
Adjective
  • During the raid, the thieves stole the Cotofenesti helmet, one of Romania’s most honorable natural treasures, as well as three golden bracelets, according to the AP.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
  • After receiving an honorable discharge in 1972, Nolte returned to Raytown to begin a career as an electrician.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of honorable

Phrases Containing right

Browse Nearby Words

rigging (up)
right
right and left
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Right.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/right. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on right

Nglish: Translation of right for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Beltane

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

The Words of the Week - May 1

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
baobab-trees
Name That Tree! A quiz that’s all bark, no bite.
See All