Unrightful

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Not just, lawful, or morally correct; lacking proper authority or legitimate claim
2. Characterized by a lack of legitimacy, fairness, or rightful claim
3. not in accordance with accepted rights or legal standards

Etymology: "Unrightful" is a plain compound: the prefix "un-", meaning "not", attached to "rightful," which is itself built from "right" and the suffix "-ful," meaning "full of" or "characterized by." Together they yield the sense of lacking a proper claim or lawful standing, as in an unrightful heir or an unrightful ruler. The word "right" traces back to Old English "riht," meaning straight or correct, and the same root gave the sense of a just claim, which is why "rightful" means "having a legitimate claim" and "unrightful" describes its opposite. Because "unrightful" is an ordinary formation from English parts, no single inventor or first recorded use stands out as its origin.

Synonyms: unjust, illegitimate, wrongful

Antonyms: rightful, just, legitimate