Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not fair or equitable: Describes actions, decisions, or systems that are not based on what is morally right or fair.
   • Violating principles of justice: Characterizing something that goes against accepted standards of justice or fairness.
   • Not impartial; biased: Involving deception or partiality, leading to an unfair outcome.

Usage and Examples

• General Use:
  • The court's decision was widely criticized as unjust. (The decision was considered morally wrong and unfair.)
  • They protested against the unjust laws. (The laws were seen as violating principles of fairness.)
• Describing a Person or Their Actions:
  • He was known to be an unjust ruler. (The ruler did not govern with fairness.)
  • Making an unjust accusation can ruin a person's reputation. (The accusation is made without proper grounds or fairness.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "unjust enrichment": A legal term for gaining a benefit at another's expense in a manner that is not fair or legally justified.
  • The company was sued for unjust enrichment after breaching the contract.
• Inherent Bias: Often implies a systemic or deep-seated lack of fairness, not just a single mistake.
  • The study highlighted the unjust distribution of resources in the city.

Variants and Related Words

• Unjustly (adverb): In an unjust manner.
  • He was unjustly imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.
• Unjustness (noun): The quality or state of being unjust.
  • The unjustness of the policy sparked international outrage.

Synonyms

• Unfair: Not based on or behaving according to fair principles.
• Inequitable: Unfair, especially in the distribution of resources or opportunities.
• Biased: Unfairly prejudiced for or against someone or something.

Antonyms

• Just: Based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.
• Fair: Treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination.
• Equitable: Characterized by fairness and impartiality.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "The scales of justice are unjust": A phrase (often adapted) used to criticize a legal or judicial system perceived as being fundamentally unfair.
  • Many citizens felt the scales of justice were unjust, favoring the wealthy.
• "Cry injustice": To protest loudly against something perceived as unfair.
  • The community cried injustice after the verdict was announced.

Adjective

1. not equitable or fair
   • the inequitable division of wealth
   • inequitable taxation
2. violating principles of justice
   • unjust punishment
   • an unjust judge
   • an unjust accusation
3. not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
   • used unfair methods
   • it was an unfair trial
   • took an unfair advantage