unjust
Americanadjective
-
not just; lacking in justice or fairness.
unjust criticism;
an unjust ruler.
- Synonyms:
- unjustifiable, unmerited, undeserved, biased, prejudiced, unfair, partial, inequitable
-
Archaic. unfaithful or dishonest.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unjust
Explanation
Something or someone that is unjust is just not fair. An unjust boss might fire you the very first time you're late for work. You might think of the word justice in order to remember the meaning of the word just, which means "fairness or righteousness." An unjust judge does not play by the rules; he might send a person to jail even though there isn't enough evidence that a crime was committed. Unjust behavior is improper or dishonest: "The professor acted in an unjust manner when he gave everyone an F just because there was a rumor that his students didn’t like him."
Vocabulary lists containing unjust
Power Prefix: un-
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
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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.
Probably because this time what he sought to overturn — discipline stemming from Balogun’s accidental contact in the United States’ victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina — actually was unjust.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
Because of that arrangement, and a separate termination notice it sent him, it shares responsibility for his unjust firing, his suit alleges.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
He fell 68 points behind Antonelli after a difficult race in Monaco was ruined by an unjust penalty for speeding in the pit lane but has looked the man to beat all weekend in Spain.
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026
In October 2025, Seoul apologised for the first time for state-sanctioned malpractices, saying "unjust human rights violations" were committed.
From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026
It stands to reason that an immoral and unjust legal system would breed contempt for its laws and regulations.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
