unjust

[ uhn-juhst ]

adjective

1. not just; lacking in justice or fairness:

   unjust criticism;

   an unjust ruler.

   Synonyms: unjustifiable, unmerited, undeserved, biased, prejudiced, unfair, partial, inequitable

2. Archaic. unfaithful or dishonest.

unjust

/ ʌnˈdʒʌst /

adjective

1. not in accordance with accepted standards of fairness or justice; unfair

Derived Forms

• unˈjustly, adverb
• unˈjustness, noun

Other Words From

• un·just·ly adverb
• un·just·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unjust¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; un- ¹ + just ¹

Example Sentences

Criminal justice experts and politicians have criticised IPPs as being "cruel, unjust and damaging".

From BBC

Seventeen points may have been an unjust gap on the scoreboard, but the Boks delivered another clinic in closing a game.

From BBC

“You are not under any obligation to defend things that are morally unjust,” she told CNN in 2019 of the episode.

From BBC

Brazilian news commentators described the decision as an unjust and retaliatory move, with some concluding that it was the most controversial decision in the award's history.

From BBC

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says it feels "unfair and unjust" that his team fell to a 2-1 defeat at West Ham after conceding a controversial late penalty.

From BBC

Related Words

• biased
• inequitable
• one-sided
• partisan
• prejudiced
• unfair
• unjustified
• wrong
• wrongful