Right vs. Privilege: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on November 2, 2023
"Right" is a moral, ethical, or legal entitlement to something, while "privilege" is a special advantage or immunity granted only to a certain group or individual.
Difference Between Right and Privilege
A right is something that is owed to someone by virtue of their existence. It is fundamental and inherent, meaning it isn't based on one's position, status, or any other conditional factors. A privilege, on the other hand, is a special advantage that is granted to certain individuals or groups, but not to everyone.
Muazma Batool
Nov 02, 2023
Rights are often enshrined in law and are based on the idea of equality and justice. They are protections or freedoms that every individual should enjoy regardless of their circumstances. Privileges are different. They can be conditional and are often the result of socio-economic status, race, gender, or other factors that make one group different from another.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 02, 2023
When someone has a right, it is a duty or obligation for others to respect and not infringe upon that right. For example, the right to life means that nobody should threaten or take away someone's life. In contrast, a privilege might be something like having access to a special club or receiving a discount because of membership in a certain group.
Muazma Batool
Nov 02, 2023
Rights are typically universal and inalienable, which means they can't be taken away without due process. They serve as a foundation for ethical and moral standards in society. Privileges, being conditional, can be given and taken away based on specific criteria. They often reflect the power dynamics within a society.
Elijah
Nov 02, 2023
While both rights and privileges shape the way individuals experience and navigate the world, it's crucial to differentiate between the two. Understanding rights as basic, inherent entitlements ensures that every individual is treated with dignity and respect. Recognizing privilege, however, allows society to address inequalities and work towards a more equitable world.
Olivia
Nov 02, 2023
Right vs. Privilege Comparison Chart
Alterability
Inalienable (cannot be easily taken away)
Can be given or revoked based on criteria
Muazma Batool
Nov 02, 2023
Social Implication
Ensures individual dignity and respect
Reflects power dynamics in society
Jonathan
Nov 02, 2023
Right vs. Privilege Definitions
◉Right
A just claim or title, whether legal, prescriptive, or moral.
She has the right to that property through inheritance.
Elijah
Sep 14, 2023
◉Privilege
A special right or advantage granted to a particular person or group.
Being born into wealth is often seen as a privilege.
Leo
Sep 14, 2023
◉Right
Conforming with or conformable to justice, law, or morality
do the right thing and confess.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
Immunity granted to a particular group, often in legal contexts.
Diplomats often have the privilege of immunity from prosecution.
William
Sep 14, 2023
◉Privilege
A special opportunity to do something considered rewarding.
It's a privilege to work with such talented individuals.
Jonathan
Sep 14, 2023
◉Right
Fitting, proper, or appropriate
It is not right to leave the party without saying goodbye.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
An experience or background advantage that others may not have due to societal structures.
Acknowledging one's privilege is essential in understanding societal dynamics.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
◉Privilege
A special advantage, immunity, permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
The principle of granting and maintaining a special right or immunity
a society based on privilege.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Of, belonging to, located on, or being the side of the body to the south when the subject is facing east.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
An option to buy or sell a stock, including put, call, spread, and straddle.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Located on the right side of a person facing downstream
the right bank of a river.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Formed by or in reference to a line or plane that is perpendicular to another line or plane.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
(uncountable) The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
(computing) An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
The people and groups who advocate the adoption of conservative or reactionary measures, especially in government and politics. Also called right wing.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
(archaic) To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Something that is due to a person or governmental body by law, tradition, or nature.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Something, especially humane treatment, claimed to be due to animals by moral principle.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
(law) the right to refuse to divulge information obtained in a confidential relationship
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Privilege
A confidential communication that cannot be disclosed without consent.
The conversations between a lawyer and client are considered a privilege.
Levi
Sep 14, 2023
◉Right
To put in or restore to an upright or proper position
They righted their boat.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
To put in order or set right; correct
measures designed to right generations of unfair labor practices.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Appropriate, perfectly suitable; fit for purpose.
Is this the right software for my computer?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Healthy, sane, competent.
I'm afraid my father is no longer in his right mind.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Real; veritable (used emphatically).
You've made a right mess of the kitchen!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Designed to be placed or worn outward.
the right side of a piece of cloth
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Exactly, precisely.
The arrow landed right in the middle of the target.
Luckily we arrived right at the start of the film.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Used to check agreement at the end of an utterance.
You're going, right?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
That which complies with justice, law or reason.
We're on the side of right in this contest.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
A legal, just or moral entitlement.
You have no right to go through my personal diary.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
The right side or direction.
The pharmacy is just on the right past the bookshop.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
The authority to perform, publish, film, or televise a particular work, event, etc.; a copyright.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
(politics) The ensemble of right-wing political parties; political conservatives as a group.
The political right holds too much power.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
The outward or most finished surface, as of a coin, piece of cloth, a carpet, etc.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
(surfing) A wave breaking from right to left (viewed from the shore).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
(transitive) To correct.
Righting all the wrongs of the war immediately will be impossible.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
(transitive) To set upright.
The tow-truck righted what was left of the automobile.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
(intransitive) To return to normal upright position.
When the wind died down, the ship righted.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Upright; erect from a base; having an upright axis; not oblique; as, right ascension; a right pyramid or cone.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Fit; suitable; proper; correct; becoming; as, the right man in the right place; the right way from London to Oxford.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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."
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Most favorable or convenient; fortunate.
The lady has been disappointed on the right side.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Well placed, disposed, or adjusted; orderly; well regulated; correctly done.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Designed to be placed or worn outward; as, the right side of a piece of cloth.
"Right," cries his lordship.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
According to any rule of art; correctly.
You with strict discipline instructed right.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
That which is right or correct.
Seldom your opinions err;Your eyes are always in the right.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
That to which one has a just claim.
There are no rights whatever, without corresponding duties.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
The right side; the side opposite to the left.
Led her to the Souldan's right.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
In some legislative bodies of Europe (as in France), those members collectively who are conservatives or monarchists. See Center, 5.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
To recover the proper or natural condition or position; to become upright.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
Hence, to regain an upright position, as a ship or boat, after careening.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
(frequently plural) the interest possessed by law or custom in some intangible thing;
mineral rights
film rights
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
those who support political or social or economic conservatism; those who believe that things are better left unchanged
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
anything in accord with principles of justice;
he feels he is in the right
the rightfulness of his claim
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
make reparations or amends for;
right a wrongs done to the victims of the Holocaust
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
put in or restore to an upright position;
They righted the sailboat that had capsized
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
regain an upright or proper position;
The capsized boat righted again
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
socially right or correct;
it isn't right to leave the party without saying goodbye
correct behavior
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
in conformance with justice or law or morality;
do the right thing and confess
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
in or into a satisfactory condition;
things are right again now
put things right
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
in accord with accepted standards of usage or procedure;
what's the right word for this?
the right way to open oysters
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
toward or on the right; also used figuratively;
he looked right and left
the party has moved right
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
in the right manner;
please do your job properly!
can't you carry me decent?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
in accordance with moral or social standards;
that serves him right
do right by him
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Right
A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.
Every citizen has the right to vote.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
◉Right
Correct or appropriate in a particular circumstance.
You're right to be cautious about that situation.
Lucas
Sep 14, 2023
◉Right
The opposite of left, often relating to direction or position.
Turn right at the next intersection.
Nolan
Sep 14, 2023
◉Right
Something that is just, morally good, or honorable.
Standing up for the weak is the right thing to do.
Leo
Sep 14, 2023
Right vs. Privilege Frequently Asked Questions
How does a privilege differ from a right?
A privilege is a conditional advantage given to certain individuals or groups, whereas a right is an inherent entitlement.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 02, 2023
Do all humans have the same rights?
In theory, human rights are universal, but their realization varies due to socio-political contexts.
Lucas
Nov 02, 2023
What is a right in a legal context?
A right is a legal entitlement granted to individuals, ensuring protection or a freedom.
Muazma Batool
Nov 02, 2023
Can a right be taken away?
Rights are typically inalienable, meaning they can't be taken away without due process.
Muazma Batool
Nov 02, 2023
Can someone earn a privilege?
Yes, privileges can be earned, such as through achievements or memberships, but some are unearned, like those based on race or gender.
William
Nov 02, 2023
Are rights absolute?
No, rights can be limited, especially when they conflict with others' rights or public interests.
Muazma Batool
Nov 02, 2023
Is every privilege bad or unfair?
No, privileges can be neutral or even positive, but it's essential to recognize and address them when they perpetuate inequality.
Kaitlyn
Nov 02, 2023
In what contexts might we hear about privilege?
Privilege is often discussed in socio-cultural contexts, addressing issues like race, gender, and socio-economic status.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 02, 2023
Why is it essential to recognize one's privilege?
Recognizing privilege helps in understanding societal inequalities and working towards a more equitable world.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 02, 2023
Can privileges be transformed into rights?
Over time, with societal changes and advocacy, privileges can evolve and become rights for everyone.
Muazma Batool
Nov 02, 2023
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