just

adjective

\ ˈjəst

Definition of just

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : reasonable had just reason to believe he was in danger

b : conforming to a standard of correctness : proper just proportions

c archaic : faithful to an original

2a(1) : acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good : righteous a just war

(2) : being what is merited : deserved a just punishment

b : legally correct : lawful just title to an estate

just

adverb

\ ˈjəst

, ˈjist, ˈjest also without t\

Definition of just (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : exactly, precisely just right

b : very recently the bell just rang

2a : by a very small margin : barely just too late

b : immediately, directly just west of here

3a : only, simply just last year just be yourself

b : quite, very just wonderful

4 : perhaps, possibly it just might work

just about

: almost the work is just about done

just

\ ˈjəst

, ˈjüst\

Definition of just (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic variant of joust

Other Words from just Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about just

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for just

Adjective

fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective mean free from favor toward either or any side. fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests. a fair decision just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper. a just settlement of territorial claims equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned. the equitable distribution of the property impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice. an impartial third party unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice. your unbiased opinion dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment. a dispassionate summation of the facts objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings. I can't be objective about my own child

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles. a stern and upright minister honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness. known for being honest in business dealings just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable. workers given just compensation conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience. conscientious in the completion of her assignments scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty. a difficult but honorable decision

Examples of just in a Sentence

Adjective

a just cause for war The college treated the allegation with just seriousness. They got their just punishment for the crime.

Adverb

The store has just the tool you need. That's just what I expected. You have to accept me just as I am. This shirt fits just right. She called him a liar and told him he was just like all the other men she'd met. He was just here a minute ago. She had just returned when he entered. I was just going to telephone you! She's just finishing a letter, and she'll be with you shortly. I arrived just in time to see him win.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Local and federal officials on Friday held a news conference to address security issues and deliver updates on the plans still unfurling just days before usually large crowds descend on the Mall from across the region and the country. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "DC Fourth of July event will now have a VIP section," 28 June 2019 Local and federal officials on Friday held a news conference to address security issues and deliver updates on the plans still unfurling just days before usually large crowds descend on the Mall from across the region and the country. — Peter Hermann, Washington Post, "Trump plans ticketed-access area for VIPs, friends and family at July 4 celebration," 28 June 2019 The official start to summer is just days away, but who’s counting? — Teen Vogue, "5 Teen Vogue Editors Share Their Beach Bag Must-Haves," 20 June 2019 With just days to go until some of the world’s best golfers descend upon Cromwell, the Travelers Championship announced its player field for next week’s tournament. — Shawn Mcfarland, courant.com, "Former winners, fan favorites and star power headline full Travelers Championship player field," 15 June 2019 Deputy Chief Steven Silks, 62, was just days away from retirement when he was found dead on June 5 in Queens. — NBC News, "Third New York police officer dies by suicide in 9 days," 14 June 2019 But as long as their ideas remain popular, the hope for a just nation will remain a dream deferred. — Michael Kazin, The New Republic, "The Impossibility of Impeachment," 10 June 2019 Big Little Lies season two is just days away from premiering, and its stars all got together in New York City Wednesday night to celebrate. — Glamour, "Reese Witherspoon’s Daughter Is Now Officially Her Twin," 30 May 2019 Passover and Easter always arrive at the same season—this year, just days apart—and that is no accident. — Paula Fredriksen, WSJ, "When Jesus Celebrated Passover," 19 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

The district is spending $153,200 contract to build the new courts at Nike, which will be located just east of existing tennis courts. — Gary Gibula, Naperville Sun, "Naperville answering demand for pickleball with new courts at Nike Complex, Southwest Park," 14 July 2018 Paul Blart: Mall Cop' was just 'Die Hard' with less-cool transportation Bad guys taking over a building with only one law enforcement officer who can save everyone. — Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, "30 pop-culture references that prove 'Die Hard' is as awesome as ever, 30 years later," 13 July 2018 And the insiders who are paying for the trip aren’t going just for the great Chinese food. — John Kass, chicagotribune.com, "For Mayor Globe-trotter, it's the money that matters," 13 July 2018 The stores have also been a destination for some who visit just for the nostalgia. — Annie Zak, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska’s last 2 Blockbuster stores are closing, leaving just one in the U.S.," 13 July 2018 These calls weren’t just for livestock issues, but for all issues pertaining to black vultures. — Jordyn Hermani, Indianapolis Star, "Black vultures are eating cows alive. But it's difficult to legally kill the birds.," 13 July 2018 Yes, now there's a discussion network just for people who channel their frustrations in life into obsessive workouts. — David Pogue, Scientific American, "Megamergers I’d Like to See," 13 July 2018 Shamrock Park is at the corner of Hickory Avenue and Lee Way, just north of Bel Air Town Hall. — The Aegis, "Pavilion installed at Shamrock Park, equipment improved," 13 July 2018 His family has a history of concern not just for the church, but for justice. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "What two fictional Gileads can teach us about America in 2018," 12 July 2018

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