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 work of narrative non-fiction is rightly hailed as the best work on North Korea’s devastating famine of the 1990s, which coincided with Kim Il Sung’s death in 1994. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 So, shares really were becoming much cheaper, making the potential reward if our faith in management was rightly given, that much greater. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 Our deist, atheist and moderate Christian founders rightly forbade theocracy with the First Amendment’s establishment clause, as incompatible with democracy. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 After the Nuremberg tribunal, the top Nazi leadership were rightly hanged for their crimes, yet even these were not open for public viewing, because that is savagery. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 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 20 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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