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Definition of justnext
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as in only
nothing more than I was just kidding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in right
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference the length of the curtain is just right

Synonyms & Similar Words

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just

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective just differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of just are conscientious, honest, honorable, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of just?

Both 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

Where would honest be a reasonable alternative to just?

In some situations, the words honest and just are roughly equivalent. However, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When might honorable be a better fit than just?

While in some cases nearly identical to just, 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

When is upright a more appropriate choice than just?

The synonyms upright and just are sometimes interchangeable, but upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

How does the adjective just differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of just are conscientious, honest, honorable, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

How are the words conscientious and scrupulous related as synonyms of just?

Both 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

Where would honest be a reasonable alternative to just?

In some situations, the words honest and just are roughly equivalent. However, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When might honorable be a better fit than just?

While in some cases nearly identical to just, 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

When is upright a more appropriate choice than just?

The synonyms upright and just are sometimes interchangeable, but upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of just
Adverb
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé unveiled a major reshufflng of his cabinet on Tuesday, retaining just five ministers in a new government largely consisting of untested figures endorsed by political parties and groups that recently signed a sweeping national accord. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 Atlanta — North Carolina runner Molly Born won the USA Track & Field (USATF) women’s half marathon championship by a slim margin of just over four seconds on Sunday in Atlanta – but the result is only half the story. Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Kristen Clarke, the former assistant attorney general for civil rights under the Biden-era Department of Justice, said in a statement that Jackson helped make America a more just nation. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026 In 2007, the philosopher Robert Sparrow argued that such weapons violate the just-war principle, that when harm is inflicted, someone must be answerable for the decision to inflict it. Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for just
Recent Examples of Synonyms for just
Adverb
  • Thompson’s intervention in the fourth quarter was exactly what the Wolverines needed.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • That’s exactly how the Knights scored their first basket of the game.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • In astronauts who spent about a year aboard the International Space Station, some areas near the top of the brain moved upward by more than 2 millimeters, while the rest of the brain barely moved.
    Rachael Seidler, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Then use a microfiber cloth barely dampened with water to wipe the fixture clean, making sure to get into any grooves and crevices.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • But even in 2000 when Hope VI grants allowed for Laurel Homes to be replaced, residents were distrustful, in part, because only 1,100 units were going up.
    Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Laundry Detergent Sheets Part of what makes believing in the power of carry-on packing only for longer trips difficult is the challenge of having clean clothes.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Expect unusual dishes like savory black and white cookies and celery root with black truffle right alongside classics like Lobster Newburg.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Facing Arizona State on Senior Night, nothing seemed to go right for the Jayhawks (Shop KU).
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • But some backpacks are better for travel than others, perhaps designed with isolated shoe compartments, holes to feed your phone charging cable through, jewelry pouches, and special materials that simply wipe clean after picking up germs from public floors.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The host Knights used their balanced attack and nine three-pointers to simply overwhelm defending state champion Etiwanda, 80-66.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Michkov has lately been playing on the left wing with Brink and Noah Cates.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Trump had suggested Iranians would overthrow their government, but lately hinted that regime moderates could take over.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Once an investigation is complete, findings are typically forwarded to a district attorney, who determines whether the officer’s actions meet Oklahoma’s legal standard for justified use of deadly force.
    Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 5 Mar. 2026
  • An attack on Iran was both justified and necessary.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Our first attempt at pursuing this logical path was the Drake Equation, which had, as its final term, the lifetime of an average intelligent, technologically advanced civilization.
    Big Think, Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Throughout that time the Red Sox were viewed as a logical landing spot, but while the club ultimately opted to pursue Alex Bregman, Arenado acknowledged the thought of playing for Boston crossed his mind.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Just.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/just. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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