unjust
gb/ʌnd͡ʒˈʌst/ us/ʌnd͡ʒˈʌst/
B2
English
~ 4400
igazságtalan, méltánytalan
B2
1
igazságtalan
A2
méltánytalan
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is unjust
The new tax was widely criticized as unjust.
Az új adót széles körben bírálták, mert igazságtalannak tartották.
He was imprisoned under an unjust legal system.
Egy igazságtalan jogrendszerben került börtönbe.
Many believe the punishment was unjust given the minor offense.
It would be unjust to blame her for the team's failure.
Learner examples
That rule is unjust.
Az a szabály igazságtalan.
The law is unjust to poor people.
A törvény igazságtalan a szegény emberekkel szemben.
It is unjust to punish all for one mistake.
The teacher was unjust to the students.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'unjust' with 'illegal', but something can be unjust without breaking the law.
Meaning
Not fair or morally right
Collocations
unjust law
|unjust decision
|unjust treatment
|unjust system
Synonyms
unfair (More common in everyday speech; slightly less formal than 'unjust'.)
|
inequitable (More formal and often used in legal or policy contexts.)
Antonyms
just (Describes something fair and morally right.)
|
fair (Describes something reasonable and equal for everyone.)
Themes
law
|ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not fair or right; treating people in a wrong way.
Not based on fairness, justice, or moral correctness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unjust
IPA
GB/ʌnd͡ʒˈʌst/
US/ʌnd͡ʒˈʌst/
Syllables & stress
un - just (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (just)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unjust
Word family
Expressions
grossly unjust
1/ɡɹˈoʊsli ʌnd͡ʒˈʌst/
fixed phrase
Extremely unfair or wrong
Very, very unfair or wrong.
Examples
- The verdict was grossly unjust and shocked the public.
- It is grossly unjust to deny someone basic human rights.
manifestly unjust
1/mˈænɪfɛstli ʌnd͡ʒˈʌst/
fixed phrase
formal
Clearly unfair or wrong
Clearly unfair or wrong; easy to see it is not fair.
Examples
- The contract was manifestly unjust to the workers.
- They argued that the decision was manifestly unjust and should be overturned.