rectitude
Strict ethical conduct
Rectitude is moral uprightness and strict adherence to ethical principles.
The word carries a formal, somewhat old-fashioned tone, suggesting not just good behavior but principled correctness: a man of unimpeachable rectitude.
It can shade toward rigidity—someone praised for rectitude might also be seen as inflexible or self-righteous.
Moral soundness and consistency
- uprightnessMoral correctness and honesty
- probityThorough moral honesty
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
incorruptibility · trustworthiness · reliability · steadfastness · conscientiousness · scrupulousness · decency · sincerity
Right and wrong principles
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- moralsPrinciples of right conduct
scruples · righteousness · justice · fairness · equity · impartiality · goodness · rightness
Moral goodness or merit
- pietySincere religious devotion
- saintlinessState of spiritual perfection
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
purity · grace · devotion · reverence · sanctity · godliness · blessedness · nobility
Ability to restrain impulses
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- restraintControl over impulses
- moderationAvoidance of excess
abstinence · willpower · resolve · diligence · perseverance · steadfastness · patience · self-mastery
Correctness of conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- seemlinessAppropriate conduct quality
- respectabilityMoral and social worthiness
- dignityInnate personal worth
deportment · comportment · manners · etiquette · formality · appropriateness · punctiliousness · meticulousness
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
- uprightnessMoral correctness and honesty
- probityThorough moral honesty
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
honesty · incorruptibility · trustworthiness · reliability · steadfastness · conscientiousness · scrupulousness · decency · sincerity · authenticity
morality
Right and wrong principles
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
morals · scruples · righteousness · justice · fairness · equity · impartiality · goodness · rightness · propriety
virtue
Moral goodness or merit
- pietySincere religious devotion
- saintlinessState of spiritual perfection
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
righteousness · purity · grace · devotion · reverence · sanctity · godliness · blessedness · nobility · chastity
self-control
Ability to restrain impulses
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- restraintControl over impulses
moderation · abstinence · willpower · resolve · diligence · perseverance · steadfastness · patience · self-mastery · austerity
propriety
Correctness of conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- seemlinessAppropriate conduct quality
- respectabilityMoral and social worthiness
dignity · deportment · comportment · manners · etiquette · formality · appropriateness · punctiliousness · meticulousness · exactitude
- moralitymoral, moral values, immoral, moral principles, moral code
- valuesvalue, honesty, worth, fairness, morals
- honestyhonesty, truthfulness, candor, sincerity, dishonesty
- honorhonor, honor code, code of honor, personal honor, word of honor
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, probity
- moral virtuesvirtues, honesty, righteousness, integrity, virtue
rectitudewickedness
Moral corruption or evil
depravity · villainy · corruption · turpitude · moral turpitude
rectitudeimpropriety
Unsuitable or inappropriate behavior
indecency · indecorum · misconduct · wrongdoing · indiscretion
rectitudedishonesty
Disposition toward falsehood
crookedness · corruption · unscrupulousness · underhandedness · deceitfulness
- moral rectitudeAdherence to ethical principles
direct, correct, incorrect, erect, correction, rectangle, corrected, rectify, correcting