righteous

This word carries a heavy weight of conviction and absolute certainty. It often suggests a standard of morality that is not just personal, but universal or divinely ordained. Because of this, it can fluctuate between a positive description of a virtuous person and a negative critique of someone who is self-righteous, implying a smug or judgmental attitude toward others. In modern slang, particularly in surf or skate culture, the term has shifted away from morality entirely. In these contexts, it describes something exceptionally high-quality, impressive, or satisfying, such as a righteous wave or a righteous guitar riff, stripping the word of its religious gravity.