unrighteous
adjective
un·righ·teous ˌən-ˈrī-chəs 
1
: not righteous : sinful, wicked
2
: unjust, unmerited
intolerable and unrighteous interference in their lives
W. W. Wagar
W. W. Wagar unrighteously adverb
unrighteousness noun
Synonyms
- bad
- dark
- evil
- immoral
- iniquitous
- nefarious
- rotten
- sinful
- unethical
- unlawful
- unsavory
- vicious
- vile
- villainous
- wicked
- wrong
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an unrighteous act that cannot go unpunished by the congregation
Recent Examples on the Web The millions who tune in to Carlson every night to get their outrage on should remember what their favorite host traffics in: bloviation, demagoguery and unrighteous indignation. Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2022 Many people, after all, think that the righteous should prosper and the unrighteous not. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 27 July 2021 As with all fan bases, there are exceptions, a troubled few who have lost their minds over their fanaticism for a team that on the whole has deserved their righteous support, but not their unrighteous idiocy. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Mar. 2021 An early episode in this cycle played out in the seemingly unrighteous realm of Hollywood backstage drama. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 16 June 2020 Brief letter from the soldiers of Islamic State in the land of Andalus for the crusaders, the hateful, the sinful, the unrighteous, the corrupting ones. Jeannette Neumann, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2017 To paraphrase my sacred texts, the shadow of this eclipse will fall on the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Rev. Dr. David Williams, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2017 See More
Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2022 Many people, after all, think that the righteous should prosper and the unrighteous not. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 27 July 2021 As with all fan bases, there are exceptions, a troubled few who have lost their minds over their fanaticism for a team that on the whole has deserved their righteous support, but not their unrighteous idiocy. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Mar. 2021 An early episode in this cycle played out in the seemingly unrighteous realm of Hollywood backstage drama. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 16 June 2020 Brief letter from the soldiers of Islamic State in the land of Andalus for the crusaders, the hateful, the sinful, the unrighteous, the corrupting ones. Jeannette Neumann, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2017 To paraphrase my sacred texts, the shadow of this eclipse will fall on the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Rev. Dr. David Williams, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
unrighteous
adjective
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable an unrighteous act that cannot go unpunished by the congregation Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- immoral
- unlawful
- evil
- sinful
- wicked
- vicious
- vile
- bad
- dark
- iniquitous
- villainous
- corrupt
- wrong
- rotten
- cruel
- obscene
- unethical
- improper
- nefarious
- illegal
- unauthorized
- infamous
- offensive
- ugly
- unsavory
- cursed
- condemned
- dirty
- contemptible
- ungodly
- nasty
- ignoble
- prohibited
- despicable
- dishonest
- reprobate
- depraved
- disreputable
- ill
- infernal
- blameworthy
- sordid
- naughty
- forbidden
- mean
- censurable
- perverted
- reprehensible
- fallen
- unwholesome
- pernicious
- dissolute
- objectionable
- unclean
- sick
- incorrect
- unhealthy
- debauched
- snide
- atrocious
- blamable
- debased
- degenerate
- libertine
- unprincipled
- base
- pestilential
- miserable
- noxious
- evil-minded
- unscrupulous
- discouraged
- proscribed
- outlawed
- scrofulous
- unseemly
- defiling
- dishonorable
- loose
- low-minded
- wretched
- unbecoming
- banned
- indecent
- disallowed
- erring
- interdicted
- barred
- indecorous
- cussed
- low
- vulgar
- execrable
- errant
- curst
- lousy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- righteous
- moral
- virtuous
- honorable
- good
- ethical
- right
- honest
- upright
- legitimate
- legal
- high
- noble
- sublime
- decent
- just
- permitted
- permissible
- scrupulous
- lofty
- elevated
- authorized
- reputable
- licensed
- approved
- endorsed
- proper
- correct
- sanctioned
- allowed
- principled
- legitimate
- promoted
- clean
- supported
- law-abiding
- high-minded
- blameless
- guiltless
- exemplary
- decent
- encouraged
- white
- innocent
- pure
- perfect
- seemly
- decorous
- wholesome
- incorruptible
- worthy
- commendable
- creditable
- indorsed
- unobjectionable
- chaste
- spotless
- immaculate
- irreproachable
- abetted
- unerring
- uncorrupted
- venerable
- inoffensive
- respected
- esteemed
- unfallen
- upstanding
- squeaky-clean
- lily-white