Synonyms of rightful

rightful

adjective

ˈrīt-fəl 

as in deserved

being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong

in light of her admission of having lied, the only rightful course of action for the governor would be to resign

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deserved
• justified
• legal
• proper
• legitimate
• due
• right
• competent
• appropriate
• suitable
• fair
• condign
• merited
• lawful
• warranted
• just
• equitable
• correct
• requisite
• fitting
• apt
• meet
• applicable
• strict
• true
• accurate
• fit
• uncompromising
• impartial
• stringent
• square
• rhadamanthine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfair
• undue
• unjust
• unwarranted
• unjustified
• undeserved
• irrelevant
• improper
• unreasonable
• incorrect
• partial
• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• unjustifiable
• unequal
• unmerited
• incoherent
• indefensible
• inapplicable
• inequitable
• arbitrary
• irrelative
• unlawful
• biased
• despotic
• illegitimate
• inapt
• inapposite

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rightful

There were even boos when the judges issued their (probably rightful) rating. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

The rightful owners of two still-missing paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, stolen on Tuesday from a museum in southern France, are unknown, Le Monde confirmed. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

From the truth behind Thor’s hammer and the goddess Amaterasu to Princess Badoure from One Thousand and One Nights, the show restores these legends to their rightful place in our collective memory. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

In a series of videos posted on social media and flagged by KOB4, Martinez filmed himself tearing the camera towers down in order to return them to their rightful owners. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026