rightly

adverb

right·​ly ˈrīt-lē How to pronounce rightly (audio)
Synonyms of rightlynext
1
: in accordance with right conduct : fairly, justly
was treated rightly
2
: in the right or proper manner : properly, fittingly
people are rightly upset
3
: according to truth or fact : correctly, exactly
If I remember rightly, today is his birthday.

Synonyms of rightly

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Examples of rightly in a Sentence

If I remember rightly, today is his birthday. She rightly anticipated a decline in the value of the stock. He points out, quite rightly, that there are flaws in the theory. Many people, rightly or wrongly, believe the economy will soon improve. She rightly admires his paintings. People are rightly upset about the city's rising crime rate. Quite rightly, the police commissioner is being blamed for the city's rising crime rate. She is proud of her children, and rightly so.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This is not to denigrate what pathbreaking American technology companies can accomplish on their own—their innovation is the envy of the world, and rightly so. — David S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 This and countless other masterful texts explain why Freud, quite rightly, received the city of Frankfurt’s Goethe Prize. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 The relationship between a parent and a child is by its nature lopsided, and rightly so. — Cnn, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 And in a region already suffering from aid shortages, and anticipating even greater food insecurity from this year’s El Nino, humanitarians are rightly nervous about a potential catastrophic fallout. — Cameron Hudson, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rightly

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rightly was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing rightly

Rhymes for rightly

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Browse Nearby Words

rightlessness
rightly
right-minded
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Cite this Entry

“Rightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rightly. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rightly

adverb
right·​ly ˈrīt-lē How to pronounce rightly (audio)
1
: in agreement with right conduct
2
: in the right or proper manner
3
: in agreement with truth or fact
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