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.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh and others have rightly emphasized that AI could raise productivity and productive capacity even as the investment boom puts pressure on resources before those benefits arrive. — Joao Gomes, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 And yet the players on the field are still rightly expecting to make the playoffs and compete for a title in the winter. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 America’s housing crisis has been rightly blamed on a lack of supply. — Valerie White, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2026 Protecting patient records, restoring systems after breaches and maintaining uptime are priorities that have rightly dominated boardroom conversations and investment decisions. — Rhett Alden, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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