just 1 of 2

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3
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
Perry’s prop malfunction occurred just one day after Beyoncé experienced an onstage mishap of her own, when her flying car began to tip over mid-air during her June 29 performance in Houston. Michaela Zee, Variety, 1 July 2025 Gener struck out 75 batters in 58 innings while walking just 14. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Adjective
Deliberations in other high-profile murder charges range from just hours to several days. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025 Good Thinking Years of painting restoration work done in just hours by new technique Military DARPA sets new records for sending power wirelessly In order to perform that measurement, the long, thin, marked tip of the instrument is inserted between the tooth and the gum. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for just
Recent Examples of Synonyms for just
Adverb
  • The way to do it is with judicious use of strong contrast colours, and that’s exactly what Nike has done here, with those pinks, blues and reds underneath the armpits and down the side of the shorts.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • That real-world experience with diverse hair types is exactly what makes Hairitage stand out.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 27 June 2025
Adverb
  • Built from the Ground Up, With Love Just barely out of college, the founders of Walters Wedding Estates took an extraordinary leap of faith.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • Oil prices were barely higher, giving up an earlier jump following the attacks.
    Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Adverb
  • Zuckerberg famously earns only $1 as CEO at Meta, although the company provides him a $14 million allowance for costs related to security for Zuckerberg and his family.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Having only scored one openplay goal in his last ten games and flirted on the periphery of matches, the equation of how to integrate Haaland with a new cast of fluid attackers still had to be solved.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Adverb
  • Brian Burns made his New York debut and felt right at home.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • The skirt is so flowy, just right for staying cool in the Southern summer heat.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Adverb
  • When fall and cooler weather hits, simply layer a button-down shirt beneath.
    Alex Sales, Glamour, 29 June 2025
  • Traditional relocation methods simply would not fit.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Adverb
  • An electric motorcycle bearing a Honda badge is bound to attract serious attention – and lately, the rumor mill has been buzzing.
    Utkarsh Sood June 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025
  • The Sox likely will deal starter Adrian Houser before the trade deadline, in case Hoyer hasn’t heard lately from his Winnetka Starbucks buddy, Sox general manager Chris Getz.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Supporters argue that Israel's campaign to eliminate Iran's nuclear facilities—including enrichment plants, missile bases, research centers, infrastructure, and oil refineries—is a justified national security measure.
    Felice Friedson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • For all of the justified excitement and hubbub about Rafael Devers, the loss of an exciting and promising homegrown pitcher is impossible to ignore.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Greater Robustness And Reliability: Better equipped to handle out-of-distribution data and novel scenarios safely and reliably by incorporating safety parameters, constraints and logical invariants.
    Anuradha Weeraman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Taking this approach minimizes the frustration of figuring out where to store something and ensures everything has a logical place in your home.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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