Definition

1. Verb:
   • To form a judgment or opinion about someone or something before having sufficient evidence or before a proper investigation or trial has taken place. It implies making a premature decision based on preconceived notions, biases, or limited information.

Usage

• The verb "prejudge" is typically used with a direct object (a person, group, situation, or outcome).
• It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the judgment is unfair, hasty, or biased.
• Common structures: "prejudge someone/something," "prejudge the outcome," "prejudge a case."

Examples

• Verb:
  • It is unfair to prejudge the defendant before hearing all the evidence in court.
  • We should not prejudge the results of the investigation; let's wait for the full report.
  • She felt that the interviewer had already prejudged her based on her accent.

Advanced Usage

• "to prejudge the issue": To decide the likely outcome of a matter before it has been properly examined or debated.
  • By dismissing the proposal outright, the committee is prejudging the issue.
• Used in legal and formal contexts to warn against bias.
  • The judge instructed the jury not to prejudge the defendant based on media reports.

Variants and Related Words

• Prejudgment (noun): The act of prejudging; a judgment formed beforehand.
  • His criticism was based on sheer prejudgment, not facts.
• Prejudicial (adjective): Causing or leading to prejudice or harm.
  • The leaked information was prejudicial to a fair trial.

Synonyms

• Presume: To suppose something to be true without proof.
• Preconceive: To form an idea or opinion beforehand.
• Jump to conclusions: To make a judgment hastily and without adequate evidence.

Antonyms

• Evaluate: To judge or assess something carefully after consideration.
• Consider: To think about something carefully before making a decision.
• Suspend judgment: To delay forming an opinion until more information is available.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Don't judge a book by its cover": An idiom advising against forming an opinion based solely on outward appearance, closely related to the concept of not prejudging.
  • I know the company looks small, but don't judge a book by its cover; they are very innovative.

Verb

1. judge beforehand, especially without sufficient evidence