Vocabulary in context
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Rectitude
Moral integrity; the quality of being honest and having strong ethical principles.
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Imagine This
Some of the attitude towards life is to have strict honesty and moral integrity.
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Sounds Like
REK-tih-tood
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Looks Like
Looks like/ resembles 'rectify' or 'right' due to the root rect- meaning straight or correct.
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Remember This
Rectitude is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe unwavering moral correctness; the root is related to being straight or right.
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Other Forms
rectitudinousadjective
rectitudinouslyadverb
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Connect With
integrity, uprightness, probity, morality, ethics
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Note
Use rectitude to emphasize ethical consistency and principled behavior, especially in professional or ceremonial contexts. Do not confuse with mere legality or pragmatism; it implies virtue and righteousness.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The senator's rectitude prevented him from accepting any campaign contributions that could influence his votes.
- Her rectitude in reporting the financials earned the board's trust.
Synonyms
integrityuprightnessprobityhonestymoral rectitude
Antonyms
corruptionimmoralitydishonestydepravity
Etymology
From Latin rectus 'straight, right' + suffix -tūdŠ(via Old French rectitude), denoting 'rightness' or 'upright conduct'.
Mnemonic
Right attitude: remember that rectitude means having a right, upright attitude toward life.
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Redundant
adjectiveNot needed or useful due to being repetitive or duplicative; containing unnecessary repetition.
Negligible
adjectiveSo small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; nearly negligible.
Exploit
verb (also noun)To make use of something, especially for gain or advantage; to use someone or something in an unethical or unfair way.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Integrity
nounThe quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; the state of being whole, undamaged, or undivided.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
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