Right vs. Privilege: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A right is a fundamental entitlement or freedom inherently held by all individuals, whereas a privilege is a special advantage granted to certain individuals or groups.
Key Differences
Rights are inherent, fundamental freedoms or entitlements available to all individuals, often protected by law or social norms. Privileges, on the other hand, are special advantages or benefits that are not universally accessible, often granted based on certain criteria or statuses.
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Nov 29, 2023
Rights are typically universal and inalienable, such as the right to free speech or equality, and are essential for justice and fairness in society. Privileges are conditional, often dependent on one's social, economic, or cultural position, and can be revoked or limited.
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Nov 29, 2023
The concept of rights is rooted in principles of equality and justice, ensuring basic freedoms and protections for all individuals. Privileges, however, often stem from societal structures and can lead to inequalities, as they are not available to everyone.
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Nov 29, 2023
Rights are often legally enforced and protected, serving as a cornerstone for democratic societies and legal systems. Privileges are usually discretionary, varying significantly across different contexts and societies, and are not guaranteed by law.
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Nov 29, 2023
While rights are necessary for the dignity and basic functioning of individuals in society, privileges are additional benefits that enhance one's position but are not essential for basic human functioning.
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Nov 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A fundamental entitlement or freedom inherent to all individuals
A special advantage or benefit granted to certain individuals or groups
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Universality
Universal and inalienable
Conditional and not universally accessible
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Basis
Rooted in principles of equality and justice
Stemming from societal structures and positions
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Legal Enforcement
Often legally enforced and protected
Not guaranteed by law, discretionary
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Role in Society
Essential for justice and basic human functioning
Enhances position but not essential for basic functioning
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Right and Privilege Definitions
Right
That which is morally correct, just, or honorable.
She fought for what was right.
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Nov 29, 2023
Privilege
A special right or advantage available only to a particular person or group.
Having access to higher education is a privilege.
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Nov 29, 2023
Right
The state or quality of being correct or true.
Her analysis of the situation was right.
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Privilege
The benefit of a certain status or position in society.
His wealth gave him the privilege of a luxurious lifestyle.
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Nov 29, 2023
Right
The authority to perform an action or possess something.
She had the right to access the company's data.
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Privilege
A right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit or favor.
The privilege to travel freely is not granted to everyone.
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Nov 29, 2023
Right
Conforming with or conformable to justice, law, or morality
Do the right thing and confess.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
An opportunity regarded as a special honor.
Being chosen as team captain was a great privilege.
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Nov 29, 2023
Privilege
A special advantage, immunity, permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Fitting, proper, or appropriate
It is not right to leave the party without saying goodbye.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
Such an advantage, immunity, or right held as a prerogative of status or rank, and exercised to the exclusion or detriment of others.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
The principle of granting and maintaining a special right or immunity
A society based on privilege.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
Protection from being forced to disclose confidential communications in certain relationships, as between attorney and client, physician and patient, or priest and confessor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
Protection from being sued for libel or slander for making otherwise actionable statements in a context or forum where open and candid expression is deemed desirable for reasons of public policy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Intended to be worn or positioned facing outward or toward an observer
The right side of the dress.
Made sure that the right side of the fabric was visible.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
An option to buy or sell a stock, including put, call, spread, and straddle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Of, belonging to, located on, or being the side of the body to the south when the subject is facing east.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Located on the right side of a person facing downstream
The right bank of a river.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
To assign greater importance or priority to
“A Harvard Law grad who taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago, he is steeped in a tradition that privileges the Bill of Rights over the crude or arbitrary exercise of power” (Evan Thomas).
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Formed by or in reference to a line or plane that is perpendicular to another line or plane.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
(countable) A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.
All first-year professors here must teach four courses a term, yet you're only teaching one! What entitled you to such a privilege?
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).
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Privilege
(uncountable) The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
(legal) A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.
Your honor, my client is not required to answer that; her response is protected by attorney-client privilege.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
(computing) An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
(archaic) To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize
To privilege representatives from arrest
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
(archaic) To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; a prerogative; advantage; franchise.
He pleads the legal privilege of a Roman.
The privilege birthright was a double portion.
A people inheriting privileges, franchises, and liberties.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
The people and groups who advocate the adoption of conservative or reactionary measures, especially in government and politics. Also called right wing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize; as, to privilege representatives from arrest.
To privilege dishonor in thy name.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
He took this place for sanctuary, And it shall privilege him from your hands.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
A right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right);
Suffrage was the prerogative of white adult males
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Right
Something that is due to a person or governmental body by law, tradition, or nature.
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Privilege
(law) the right to refuse to divulge information obtained in a confidential relationship
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Right
Something, especially humane treatment, claimed to be due to animals by moral principle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
An existing stockholder's legally protected claim to purchase additional shares in a corporation ahead of those who are not currently stockholders, especially at a cost lower than market value.
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Oct 19, 2023
Privilege
An exemption from a usual duty or penalty.
Diplomats often have the privilege of immunity from prosecution.
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Nov 29, 2023
Right
To put in or restore to an upright or proper position
They righted their boat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
To put in order or set right; correct
Measures designed to right generations of unfair labor practices.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(geometry) Of an angle, having a size of 90 degrees, or one quarter of a complete rotation; the angle between two perpendicular lines.
The kitchen counter formed a right angle with the back wall.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(geometry) Of a geometric figure, incorporating a right angle between edges, faces, axes, etc.
A right triangle, a right prism, a right cone
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Complying with justice, correctness or reason; correct, just, true.
I thought you'd made a mistake, but it seems you were right all along.
It's not right that one person gets all the credit for the group's work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Appropriate, perfectly suitable; fit for purpose.
Is this the right software for my computer?
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Healthy, sane, competent.
I'm afraid my father is no longer in his right mind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Real; veritable (used emphatically).
You've made a right mess of the kitchen!
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Designating the side of the body which is positioned to the east if one is facing north. This arrow points to the reader's right: →
After the accident, her right leg was slightly shorter than her left.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(geography) Designating the bank of a river (etc.) on one's right when facing downstream (i.e. facing forward while floating with the current); that is, the south bank of a river that flows eastward. If this arrow: ⥴ shows the direction of the current, the tilde is on the right side of the river.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Designed to be placed or worn outward.
The right side of a piece of cloth
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Exactly, precisely.
The arrow landed right in the middle of the target.
Luckily we arrived right at the start of the film.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Immediately, directly.
Can't you see it? It's right beside you!
Tom was standing right in front of the TV, blocking everyone's view.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Very, extremely, quite.
I made a right stupid mistake there, didn't I?
I stubbed my toe a week ago and it still hurts right much.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
To a great extent or degree.
Sir, I am right glad to meet you …
Members of the Queen's Privy Council are styled The Right Honourable for life.
The Right Reverend Monsignor Guido Sarducci.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Signpost word to change the subject in a discussion or discourse.
- After that interview, I don't think we should hire her.
- Right — who wants lunch?
- Right — who wants lunch?
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Used to check agreement at the end of an utterance.
You're going, right?
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
That which complies with justice, law or reason.
We're on the side of right in this contest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
A legal, just or moral entitlement.
You have no right to go through my personal diary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
The right side or direction.
The pharmacy is just on the right past the bookshop.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
The authority to perform, publish, film, or televise a particular work, event, etc.; a copyright.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(politics) The ensemble of right-wing political parties; political conservatives as a group.
The political right holds too much power.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
The outward or most finished surface, as of a coin, piece of cloth, a carpet, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(surfing) A wave breaking from right to left (viewed from the shore).
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(transitive) To correct.
Righting all the wrongs of the war immediately will be impossible.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(transitive) To set upright.
The tow-truck righted what was left of the automobile.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(intransitive) To return to normal upright position.
When the wind died down, the ship righted.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(transitive) To do justice to; to relieve from wrong; to restore rights to; to assert or regain the rights of.
To right the oppressed
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Upright; erect from a base; having an upright axis; not oblique; as, right ascension; a right pyramid or cone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Fit; suitable; proper; correct; becoming; as, the right man in the right place; the right way from London to Oxford.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Conformed to the constitution of man and the will of God, or to justice and equity; not deviating from the true and just; according with truth and duty; just; true.
That which is conformable to the Supreme Rule is absolutely right, and is called right simply without relation to a special end.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Characterized by reality or genuineness; real; actual; not spurious.
In this battle, . . . the Britons never more plainly manifested themselves to be right barbarians.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
According with truth; passing a true judgment; conforming to fact or intent; not mistaken or wrong; not erroneous; correct; as, this is the right faith.
You are right, Justice, and you weigh this well.
If there be no prospect beyond the grave, the inference is . . . right, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die."
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Most favorable or convenient; fortunate.
The lady has been disappointed on the right side.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Of or pertaining to that side of the body in man on which the muscular action is usually stronger than on the other side; - opposed to left when used in reference to a part of the body; as, the right side, hand, arm. Also applied to the corresponding side of the lower animals.
Became the sovereign's favorite, his right hand.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Well placed, disposed, or adjusted; orderly; well regulated; correctly done.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Designed to be placed or worn outward; as, the right side of a piece of cloth.
"Right," cries his lordship.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
In a right or straight line; directly; hence; straightway; immediately; next; as, he stood right before me; it went right to the mark; he came right out; he followed right after the guide.
Unto Dian's temple goeth she right.
Let thine eyes look right on.
Right across its track there lay,Down in the water, a long reef of gold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
According to the law or will of God; conforming to the standard of truth and justice; righteously; as, to live right; to judge right.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
According to any rule of art; correctly.
You with strict discipline instructed right.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
According to fact or truth; actually; truly; really; correctly; exactly; as, to tell a story right.
Right as it were a steed of Lumbardye.
His wounds so smarted that he slept right naught.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
In a great degree; very; wholly; unqualifiedly; extremely; highly; as, right humble; right noble; right valiant.
For which I should be right sorry.
[I] return those duties back as are right fit.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
That which is right or correct.
Seldom your opinions err;Your eyes are always in the right.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
A just judgment or action; that which is true or proper; justice; uprightness; integrity.
Long love to her has borne the faithful knight,And well deserved, had fortune done him right.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
That to which one has a just claim.
There are no rights whatever, without corresponding duties.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
That which one has a legal or social claim to do or to exact; legal power; authority; as, a sheriff has a right to arrest a criminal.
Born free, he sought his right.
Hast thou not right to all created things?
Men have no right to what is not reasonable.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
The right side; the side opposite to the left.
Led her to the Souldan's right.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
In some legislative bodies of Europe (as in France), those members collectively who are conservatives or monarchists. See Center, 5.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
The outward or most finished surface, as of a piece of cloth, a carpet, etc.
He should himself use it by right.
I should have been a woman by right.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
To bring or restore to the proper or natural position; to set upright; to make right or straight (that which has been wrong or crooked); to correct.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
To do justice to; to relieve from wrong; to restore rights to; to assert or regain the rights of; as, to right the oppressed; to right one's self; also, to vindicate.
So just is God, to right the innocent.
All experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
To recover the proper or natural condition or position; to become upright.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Hence, to regain an upright position, as a ship or boat, after careening.
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
An abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature;
They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights
Certain rights can never be granted to the government but must be kept in the hands of the people
A right is not something that somebody gives you; it is something that nobody can take away
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(frequently plural) the interest possessed by law or custom in some intangible thing;
Mineral rights
Film rights
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Location near or direction toward the right side; i.e. the side to the south when a person or object faces east;
He stood on the right
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Those who support political or social or economic conservatism; those who believe that things are better left unchanged
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Anything in accord with principles of justice;
He feels he is in the right
The rightfulness of his claim
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
The hand that is on the right side of the body;
He writes with his right hand but pitches with his left
Hit him with quick rights to the body
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Make reparations or amends for;
Right a wrongs done to the victims of the Holocaust
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Put in or restore to an upright position;
They righted the sailboat that had capsized
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth;
The correct answer
The correct version
The right answer
Took the right road
The right decision
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the east when facing north;
My right hand
Right center field
A right-hand turn
The right bank of a river is the bank on your right side when you are facing downstream
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Socially right or correct;
It isn't right to leave the party without saying goodbye
Correct behavior
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
In conformance with justice or law or morality;
Do the right thing and confess
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Appropriate for a condition or occasion;
Everything in its proper place
The right man for the job
She is not suitable for the position
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
In or into a satisfactory condition;
Things are right again now
Put things right
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
In accord with accepted standards of usage or procedure;
What's the right word for this?
The right way to open oysters
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Of the side of cloth or clothing intended to face outward;
The right side of the cloth showed the pattern
Be sure your shirt is right side out
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Most suitable or right for a particular purpose;
A good time to plant tomatoes
The right time to act
The time is ripe for great sociological changes
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
Toward or on the right; also used figuratively;
He looked right and left
The party has moved right
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
In the right manner;
Please do your job properly!
Can't you carry me decent?
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
(Southern regional intensive) very;
The baby is mighty cute
He's mighty tired
It is powerful humid
That boy is powerful big now
They have a right nice place
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
In accordance with moral or social standards;
That serves him right
Do right by him
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Oct 19, 2023
Right
A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.
Every individual has the right to freedom of speech.
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Nov 29, 2023
Right
A privilege or claim legally or morally justifiable.
He exercised his right to vote.
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Nov 29, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a right?
A right is a fundamental freedom or entitlement inherent to every individual.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 29, 2023
What is a privilege?
A privilege is a special advantage granted to certain individuals or groups.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can privileges be earned?
Yes, privileges can be earned or granted based on certain criteria or achievements.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is the right to education a universal right?
Yes, the right to education is considered a universal right.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can a privilege become a right?
Through social and legal changes, some privileges can evolve into rights.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can privileges lead to inequality?
Yes, privileges can lead to inequality as they are not accessible to everyone.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can privileges be revoked?
Yes, privileges can be revoked or limited, unlike most rights.
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Nov 29, 2023
Are human rights the same as legal rights?
Human rights are broader and moral in nature, while legal rights are specifically defined by law.
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Nov 29, 2023
Are rights universal?
Yes, rights are generally considered universal and inalienable.
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Nov 29, 2023
Are rights legally protected?
Most rights are legally protected through constitutions and laws.
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Nov 29, 2023
Do rights require responsibilities?
Yes, exercising rights often comes with corresponding responsibilities.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is wealth a privilege?
Yes, wealth can provide privileges not accessible to everyone.
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Nov 29, 2023
Does everyone have the same privileges?
No, privileges vary greatly among individuals and groups.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is access to healthcare a right or a privilege?
Access to healthcare is debated as a right or a privilege, varying by societal and legal perspectives.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is freedom of speech a right or a privilege?
Freedom of speech is considered a fundamental right in many societies.
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Nov 29, 2023
Do rights change over time?
The understanding and scope of rights can evolve over time.
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Nov 29, 2023
Do all countries recognize the same rights?
While there are universal rights, their recognition and implementation can vary by country.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can privileges be unfair?
Yes, privileges can sometimes lead to unfair advantages or inequalities.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can societal norms influence privileges?
Yes, societal norms play a significant role in determining privileges.
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Nov 29, 2023
Are rights inherent at birth?
Yes, many rights are considered inherent at birth.
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Nov 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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