rectitudinous

[ rek-ti-tood-n-uhs, -tyood- ]

adjective

1. characterized by or given to rectitude.
2. virtuously self-righteous; pious.

Other Words From

• recti·tudi·nous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectitudinous¹

1895–1900; < Late Latin rectitūdin- (stem of rectitūdō rectitude ) + -ous

Example Sentences

“Let me do this my way,” he says, once with words, and all the time with his manner, which is that of a rectitudinous renegade.

From The New Yorker

It’s all about how well, he was the most pious, rectitudinous guy, he never so much as looked at a woman of ill repute, he never even went to the parts of town where they lived.

From Slate

Eccentric but rectitudinous, jauntily equestrian, the doubly buttoned paddock-cut jacket is suitable for both drum majors on leave and playboys in horse country.

From Slate

The allegations against the agency are a chance to remind voters of the Republican stance that the natural progression of government bureaucracies is to sprawl and curdle unless rectitudinous Congressman prevent it.

From Time

In a personal boycott of the Mongol regime, with its prejudicial attitude toward many native-born Chinese scholars, Ni took to living a fugitive’s life on houseboat, always on the move, painting soundless little vistas of river and sky, with thin bare trees standing as symbols of his own rectitudinous isolation.

From New York Times