View synonyms for rightly

rightly

[ rahyt-lee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

in accordance with truth or fact; correctly:
to see rightly; to understand rightly.
in accordance with morality or equity; uprightly.
properly, fitly, or suitably:
to be rightly dressed.
Informal. with certainty; positively:
I can't rightly say.

rightly

/ ˈraɪtlɪ /

in accordance with the facts; correctly
in accordance with principles of justice or morality
with good reason; justifiably
he was rightly annoyed with her
properly or suitably; appropriately
rightly dressed for a wedding
informal.
used with a negative with certainty; positively or precisely (usually in the phrases I don't rightly know, I can't rightly say )

Origin of rightly¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English rihtlīce. See right, -ly

Bonauto, now an official MacArthur genius, is rightly known as the Thurgood Marshall of the marriage movement.

Modern conservatives rightly (as it were) define themselves against the culture at large; hipsters seek to do so as well.

The sex workers I spoke with rightly call it “vile,” “gross,” “terrifying,” and “exploitative.”

He stated—quite rightly—that animals are never mentioned in connection with eternal life in the Bible.

The pictures of Gilkes emphasize, quite rightly and inevitably, his classic good looks.

The rightly cultivated expressive voice is the man—speaking.

Men cannot see the world clearly and they cannot, therefore, begin to think about it rightly.

The single employer rightly knows that there is a wage higher than he can pay and hours shorter than he can grant.

And every human being born upon the world represents a power of work that, rightly directed, more than supplies his wants.

Malcolm guessed rightly that Mr. Tucker was the judge at that station, but he must not betray ignorance.

Browse