righteously

Righteously is an adverb derived from the adjective righteous. It describes an action or demeanor performed in a morally good or virtuous manner. The term traces to Old English rihtwis, formed from riht (right, proper) and wis (wise), and entered Middle English with the sense of acting in accordance with moral or divine law. In modern English, righteously can carry either a straightforward positive connotation or a pejorative tone depending on context.

In positive usage, it characterizes conduct aligned with ethical principles, justice, or religious precepts: for example, emphasizing honesty, compassion, or adherence to code. In more critical use, it can imply moralizing superiority or self-righteousness, as in statements that condemn others while excusing one’s own faults. The phrase righteously angry is common in both religious and secular discourse and may signal anger deemed morally justified or used to justify harsh judgment.

Usage notes: the sense is strongly dependent on surrounding words and tone; in contemporary writing, righteously can feel formal or archaic in casual speech. Common collocations include act righteously, live righteously, or condemn righteously, though the latter can imply judgmental posture rather than genuine virtue.

See also: righteousness, self-righteousness, moral philosophy, religious ethics.