What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
justifiably
Example
The company was justifiably proud of its record on environmental issues. [justifiably: adverb]
Example
He was justifiably angry when he found out that his work had been plagiarized. [justifiably: adverb]
rightly
Example
The government has rightly taken steps to address the issue of climate change. [rightly: adverb]
Example
She was rightly praised for her hard work and dedication to the project. [rightly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rightly is more commonly used than justifiably in everyday language. Rightly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while justifiably is less common and is typically used in legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between justifiably and rightly?
Justifiably is typically associated with a formal and legal tone, while rightly is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.