just 1 of 2

1
2
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as in only
nothing more than I was just kidding

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in right
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference the length of the curtain is just right

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6

just

2 of 2

adjective

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6

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

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
Bathing in the blood of virgins is just one such regime, and god help the flunky who dares displease milady. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 May 2025 Mod silhouettes The ’60s are also on the way in—just ask Gucci, Prada, and Celine, which all channeled the decade’s hallmarks on this season’s catwalks. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 May 2025
Adjective
With just hours left before funding expired, CISA, already operating under intense budget pressure, extended the contract and narrowly averted disruption to the backbone of global vulnerability coordination. Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 With just days to go before Karen Read's retrial in the murder of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, the judge on Thursday issued rulings on a handful of motions that were still undecided after the final hearing wrapped up Wednesday. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for just
Recent Examples of Synonyms for just
Adverb
  • That’s exactly half of the artists on this year’s shortlist; apologies to fan-vote winners Phish for their loss.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The reaction was exactly Nigel’s reaction in the show, which was actually quite satisfying but risky.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • In a world where 94% of keywords barely scrape 10 or fewer monthly searches and ChatGPT commands a staggering 62.5% of the AI subscription market, the message is loud and clear: The game has changed.
    Ivan Guzenko, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The barely torched meringue on top is the stuff of my Martha Stewart fantasies.
    Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • This time, though, the satellites have not only been significantly upgraded, but represent the largest deployment for Amazon, the company said.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
  • That destroys trust, not only in the company but also in the technology as a whole.
    Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Read our testing and scoring criteria below or skip right to our list.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the 19th and early 20th centuries, classically minded visitors to Rome looked right past his paintings.
    Jason Farago, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Tarot horoscopes simply show the easiest path toward that growth.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
  • But before that, on the West Coast, a similar pink hue was simply the color of a doughnut box, introduced in the 1980s by families of Cambodian immigrants of Southern California who ran small bakeries in their new home country.
    Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Results in China, which was been a drag lately , were not terrible, either.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
  • What brings you the most purpose and passion to your days lately?
    Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kelenic's lack of hustle prompted justified anger from fans.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Cronenberg has made a thriller of justified technological paranoia, of the internet’s myriad parasitic intrusions into the human realm.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Schumer’s reasoning was clear and logical: a shutdown is inherently bad.
    Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
  • That appeared to be a logical decision given that Świątek had a good chance to capture the gold medal at the Olympics with Roland Garros hosting.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Just.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/just. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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