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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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
In 2022, Loftin reached Triple-A Omaha — just two years after being drafted. Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 That’s already being experimented with just one training camp practice into his career. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
Adjective
With locations across Atlanta and an easy online sign-up process, getting started takes just minutes. Kayla Rivera, AJC.com, 30 June 2026 Among the subjects Avila Chevalier says Democrats should focus on are affordability, federal budgets focused on aiding working people, and a more just immigration system — including abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for just
Recent Examples of Synonyms for just
Adverb
  • So, what exactly are AI tokens, how does AI tokenomics work, and when should businesses stop counting tokens and focus on results?
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Wednesday’s press conference, however, felt like any other, prompting one reporter to ask a question about what the news was, exactly.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 29 July 2026
Adverb
  • Half the time, they’ve barely been touched; give them a yellow card.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Imagine burning down your life's work just to gain an insider edge against a team that barely knows how to play fundamental baseball.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Adverb
  • The extremely high temperatures required could only be achieved using charcoal.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 July 2026
  • Amendments placed on the ballot by lawmakers would still need only a statewide majority — a distinction critics call hypocritical.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Adverb
  • Taylor Moton, the Panthers veteran starting right tackle, will be sidelined when the regular season kicks off in September.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • And enigmatic quarterbacks who have flashed in the past but are hoping their new situation is the one where everything breaks right.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Adverb
  • For Moore, opening her own shop was never simply about owning a business.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • What ultimately doomed the plan was not simply opposition, but the breadth and speed of that opposition.
    Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • The record’s grainy black-and-white cover shows her with her hair—usually scraped back in her trademark ponytail, or lately a bun, another kind of disguise—loose and scattered over her laughing face.
    Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
  • My favorite filmmaker lately is [Swedish director] Roy Andersson.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
Adjective
  • The event gives the trip a purpose, which can make the spending feel more justified.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The answers to those questions are ‘not really’ and ‘probably not’, even if there’s justified criticism that Tuchel prioritised physicality, athleticism and versatility over technical quality.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • More importantly, the researchers found that the effective logical error rate was 10 times lower than the physical error rate.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
  • The Cardinals needed an available reliever more than a starter recovering from a 77-pitch appearance, making Dobbins the logical roster casualty despite his otherwise solid work during his first extended opportunity in the major leagues.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Just.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/just. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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