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

Many of Ocasio-Cortez's progressive freshmen colleagues are also sponsors, including Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Deb Haaland (NM-01), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), all of whom ran on environmental justice as part of their platforms. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Resolution Gets Support From the Major 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates," 7 Feb. 2019 But when have black bodies, black livelihoods, black existences ever been safe in pursuit of truth and justice in this country? — Rachel Elizabeth Cargle, Harper's BAZAAR, "When White People Are Uncomfortable, Black People Are Silenced," 9 Jan. 2019 Their most notable project was fabricating an eight-foot-tall memorial statue of the late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia. — Josh Snider, Popular Mechanics, "The Everything Workshop," 4 Dec. 2018 But here's the real question that remains: Is Jack majoring in criminal justice? — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "Is Danny Reagan's Son on 'Blue Bloods' Leaving the Show?," 16 Nov. 2018 The successful drug dealer manages to secure vast wealth while defying a criminal-justice system that has long brutalized black people. — Josie Duffy Rice, The Atlantic, "The Gospel According to Pusha T," 12 July 2018 Vegans of color bring a conversation and awareness around food access and racial justice to the movement that currently does not exists. — Amy Quichiz, SELF, "10 Vegans of Color on What Being Vegan Means to Them," 6 Jan. 2019 Under Conrad, a lifestyle guru who runs LaurenConrad.com, and Skvarla, who has a background in fashion and social justice, the website quickly became a destination for sustainable shopping. — Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, "Lauren Conrad And Hannah Skvarla Of The Little Market Are Changing The World," 11 Dec. 2018 In that case, the justices found that certain restrictions Texas had imposed in the name of protecting women’s health were medically unjustified and intended to make abortions harder to obtain. — Laura Vozzella, BostonGlobe.com, "Va. seeks to dismiss suit challenging abortion restrictions," 14 July 2018

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