1
as in morality
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong
encouraged the graduates to go on to live lives of unimpeachable rectitude and integrity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in integrity
faithfulness to high moral standards
has a finely honed sense of rectitude that keeps him from cheating on exams
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rectitude
Sheridan's Jamie has a quiet courage and sense of moral rectitude, which contrasts with Terry's more erratic approach to police work.
—
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024
To establish internal discipline and moral rectitude, Yassin set up the Majd and selected Yahya Sinwar to help lead it.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024
And this has long presented a puzzle: How can people who prize moral rectitude and personal witness to Jesus so faithfully support the most secular president in American history, someone who seems by his behavior at best indifferent to Christianity?
—Shadi Hamid, Washington Post, 17 June 2024
Doing more damage in the name of fiscal rectitude will derail Labour’s positive agenda and, with it, possibly the party itself.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rectitude 
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024
To establish internal discipline and moral rectitude, Yassin set up the Majd and selected Yahya Sinwar to help lead it.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024
And this has long presented a puzzle: How can people who prize moral rectitude and personal witness to Jesus so faithfully support the most secular president in American history, someone who seems by his behavior at best indifferent to Christianity?
—Shadi Hamid, Washington Post, 17 June 2024
Doing more damage in the name of fiscal rectitude will derail Labour’s positive agenda and, with it, possibly the party itself.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rectitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rectitude
Noun
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Tracing Josiah’s trajectory from lumberjack to shipyard riveter to ambitious serviceman, Wang offers a protagonist of unflappable morality and decency.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
-
The mob that trails West Elm Caleb knows neither morality nor mercy.—
Kelsey McKinney,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Scientific agencies have been staffed by scientists; scientists have set scientific priorities; scientists have ensured the integrity of the science that is done, on the theory that scientists know their own complicated, technical, sometimes arcane work best.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2025
-
It should be earned through action, integrity, and accountability.—
Steve Grappe Special to the Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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About two dozen trustees serve by virtue of their government office, such as the librarian of Congress, the secretary of state, the mayor of Washington and the speaker and the minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.—
E. Andrew Taylor,
The Conversation,
17 Feb. 2025
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The San Diego Jewish Academy was the 17th seed in the 16-team Division 4 boys bracket, but qualified for the playoffs by virtue of a regular-season win over No. 16 Coastal Academy.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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She’s approached it with honesty, meeting his curiosity with age-appropriate transparency.—
Emily Cegielski,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2025
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The people of their small town of Walnut Grove looked up to him for his courage to do what was right and champion honesty, fairness, and hard work for all.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Thank goodness Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) can still sprint.—
Tony Maglio,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2025
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This subtle difference had profound implications: Patronage and public benefit were no longer assumed to be duties, but bonuses that wealthy individuals could provide out of the goodness of their hearts.—
Brian Klaas,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Jalen Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score on a tush push to earn Super Bowl MVP honors, and Vic Fangio’s defense was so dominant that the Eagles didn’t need much from Saquon Barkley.—
Rob Maaddi,
The Denver Post,
9 Feb. 2025
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Foxtrot, a border collie who emerged as a clear contender after scoring his second touchdown of the game, earned the honor.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near rectitude
Cite this Entry
“Rectitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rectitude. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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