prejudge

American

[pree-juhj] / priˈdʒʌdʒ /

verb (used with object)

prejudged, prejudging

to judge beforehand.
to pass judgment on prematurely or without sufficient reflection or investigation.

prejudge British

/ priːˈdʒʌdʒ /

verb

(tr) to judge beforehand, esp without sufficient evidence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

prejudger noun
prejudgment noun

Etymology

Origin of prejudge

1555–65; < French préjuger < Latin praejūdicāre. See pre-, judge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Clacton MP said he spoke with him a "couple of weeks ago" and said: "I hope we can sort things out. I don't want to prejudge anything".

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Brussels has said the opening of an in-depth investigation does not prejudge its outcome.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

“It makes no sense whatsoever to prejudge the election outcome. And that is a misinformed view of what is happening on the ground in North Carolina, bless his heart,” McHenry said.

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2024

For the overall effect of the film, it was very important that everyone keep a natural tone and not judge or prejudge their character.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2024

“You cannot prejudge people in this business,” he said over and over when we met, and each time he used that phrase, his face took on a look of utter conviction.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023