unjust

adjective

un·​just ˌən-ˈjəst 

1

: characterized by injustice : unfair

received an unjust punishment

2

archaic : dishonest, faithless

unjustly adverb

unjustness

ˌən-ˈjəs(t)-nəs 

noun

Examples of unjust in a Sentence

The convict received an unjust sentence.

Recent Examples on the Web

But this mission ends with the unjust, unceremonious murder of a sister in arms and an empty home to return to. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026

The judge of all the earth cannot be so unjust as to punish the guilty and the innocent alike! — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

But when a generation stops believing that an unjust rule has legitimacy, coercion becomes increasingly expensive. — Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

But for Salvadorans who have lived in the United States for decades, worked here, paid taxes here and raised families here, the endless cycle of temporary extensions and looming expiration dates has become profoundly unjust. — Randy Jurado Ertll, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unjust

• adjust
• combust
• discussed
• disgust
• distrust
• entrust
• intrust
• mistrust
• nonplussed
• robust
• sawdust
• stardust

Kids Definition

unjust

adjective

un·​just ˌən-ˈjəst 

ˈən-

: not just : unfair

an unjust way of picking the winner

unjustly adverb

unjustness

-ˈjəs(t)-nəs 

noun

Legal Definition

unjust

adjective

un·​just

: characterized by injustice : deficient in justice and fairness

an unjust sentence

unjustly adverb

unjustness noun