poetic justice

American  

noun

1. an ideal distribution of rewards and punishments such as is common in some poetry and fiction.

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poetic justice British  

noun

1. fitting retribution; just deserts

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poetic justice Idioms  

1. An outcome in which virtue is rewarded and evil punished, often in an especially appropriate or ironic manner. For example, It was poetic justice for the known thief to go to jail for the one crime he didn't commit. [Early 1700s]

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Etymology

Origin of poetic justice

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

The hum for readers of this well-crafted book comes from seeing its determined protagonist try to foil that scheme while ensuring poetic justice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

But among those who have spoken anonymously, some see Huntley's death as poetic justice, a blessing in disguise.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

So, in some ways, giving Black people the land where the prison once operated as reparations could be seen as poetic justice.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2023

It's poetic justice that they get to be first in line to start holding him accountable.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2023

"Seems like a kind of poetic justice," said Hilton Toye.

From The Thousandth Woman by Hornung, Ernest W.