justice

noun

jus·tice | \ ˈjə-stəs

Definition of justice

1a : the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments meting out justice social justice

b : judge a supreme court justice —used as a title Justice Marshall

c : the administration of law a fugitive from justice especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity a system of justice

2a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair questioned the justice of the their decision

b(1) : the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action

(2) : conformity to this principle or ideal : righteousness the justice of their cause

c : the quality of conforming to law

3 : conformity to truth, fact, or reason : correctness admitted that there was much justice in these observations— T. L. Peacock

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about justice

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Synonyms & Antonyms for justice

Synonyms

equity, fair shake, right

Antonyms

inequity, injustice, raw deal, wrong

Examples of justice in a Sentence

They received justice in court. the U.S. Department of Justice criminals attempting to escape justice The role of the courts is to dispense justice fairly to everyone. She is a justice of the state supreme court. I saw no justice in the court's decision. We should strive to achieve justice for all people.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Vietnamese vocalist certainly did her longtime goal its due justice. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "'American Idol' Judges Think This 19-Year-Old Contestant Is as Good as Kelly Clarkson," 4 Mar. 2019 There are good men and women in the Philippine government and in the justice system. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Memo from a ‘Facebook nation’ to Mark Zuckerberg: You moved fast and broke our country.," 26 Nov. 2018 The Supreme Court justices rejected that conclusion. — Dan Joling, The Seattle Times, "Alaska moose-hunter can ‘rev up’ his hovercraft, court rules," 27 Mar. 2019 The 5-4 vote cleared the way for the policy to move forward, but the justices did not take a stance on the legality of the ban, CNN reports. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Supreme Court Allows Trump's Transgender Military Ban to Go Into Effect Temporarily," 22 Jan. 2019 That's what inspired Lawyer Susan Hyman to send the justice the metallic collar she's seen wearing in her new official portrait for the Supreme Court. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "RBG Wore a Collar Gifted to Her by a Fan in Her New Supreme Court Portrait," 16 Dec. 2018 They like that Brett Kavanaugh was appointed a conservative Supreme Court justice. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Will Actually Happen to Trump?," 19 Dec. 2018 Local activists are working to address the problem in a variety of ways, from helping women protect their land from the government, as well as seeking justice for women injured and killed by witch hunts. — Seema Yasmin, SELF, "In Rural India, Protecting Women From Witch Hunting, and an Impending Flood," 17 Aug. 2018 Kudadoo Maldives has 13 one-bedroom and a pair of two-bedroom villas that overlook the water, each with a view that no Instagram would do justice. — Maya Mcdowell, House Beautiful, "This Island in the Maldives Has Villas Overlooking the Water, and We Want to Go Right Now," 5 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'justice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for justice

justice

noun

English Language Learners Definition of justice

: the process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals

US : a judge in a court of law

—used as a title for a judge (such as a judge of the U.S. Supreme Court)

See the full definition for justice in the English Language Learners Dictionary

justice

noun

jus·tice | \ ˈjəs-təs

Kids Definition of justice

1 : fair treatment Everyone deserves justice.

2 : judge entry 2 sense 1

3 : the process or result of using laws to fairly judge people accused of crimes

4 : the quality of being fair or just They were treated with justice.

justice

noun

jus·tice | \ ˈjəs-təs

Legal Definition of justice

1a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair it is not the province of the court to decide upon the justice or injustice…of these laws — Scott v. Sanford, 60 U.S. 393 (1857)

b : the principle or ideal of just dealing also : conformity to the principle or ideal of just dealing

2a : the administration of law a fugitive from justice especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to law or equity system of justice

b : fair, just, or impartial legal process courts or tribunals…for the administration of international justice— G. R. Winters

3 : judge especially : a judge of an appellate court or court of last resort (as a supreme court) insults to particular justices and threats of civil disobedience were bandied freely — R. H. Bork