What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
righteous
Example
He was known for his righteous behavior and always did the right thing. [righteous: adjective]
Example
She felt a sense of righteous anger at the injustice she witnessed. [righteous: noun]
upright
Example
He was an upright citizen who always followed the law. [upright: adjective]
Example
The bookshelf was sturdy and kept all the books upright. [upright: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Upright is more commonly used than righteous in everyday language. Upright is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while righteous is less common and is often used in religious or moral contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between righteous and upright?
Both righteous and upright are formal words that are associated with a sense of morality and ethics. However, righteous can have a negative connotation of being self-righteous, while upright has a more neutral connotation.
