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injustice

n.
US //ˌɪnˈdʒəstɪs// UK //ɪndʒˈʌstɪs// in·jus·tice
  1. 1 unfair treatment (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a situation where people are not treated fairly or do not have the same rights as others.

    the quality or fact of being unjust; a lack of fairness or equity in treatment or status.

    Example

    The protesters marched to fight against social injustice in their city.

    Example

    The documentary highlights the systemic injustice faced by marginalised communities within the current legal framework.

  2. 2 a specific unfair act (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a specific act or event that is unfair or wrong.

    a specific instance of a violation of rights or an unjust act.

    Example

    It was a great injustice that he was sent to prison for a crime he did not commit.

    Example

    The legal team worked for years to overturn the injustice of the original verdict, eventually proving the evidence had been tampered with.

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  1. 3 an unjust judge (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Humorous Informal Law

    a way to describe a judge who you think is making unfair decisions.

    a derogatory or humorous play on the title 'Justice', used to imply that a specific judge is acting unfairly.

    Example

    The lawyer joked that the biased judge should be called 'Injustice' instead of 'Justice'.

    Example

    In his satirical pamphlet, the author referred to the corrupt magistrate as 'Mr. Injustice' to highlight the absurdity of the ruling.

    Usage

    This is a wordplay on the formal title 'Justice' used for high-court judges.

Origin

From Middle English injustice, from Old French injustice, from Latin iniustitia. Equivalent to in- + justice. Displaced native Old English unrihtwīsnes.

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