Word
unjustified
Phoneticsun·jus·ti·fied, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈdʒəstəˌfaɪd/
UK/ʌndʒˈʌstɪfˌaɪd/
Definition
adj. not having a good or fair reason. You use this to describe an action or feeling that is not supported by facts.
adj. lacking a valid reason or evidence to support a particular action, belief, or feeling. Often used to describe criticism, expenses, or fears that are considered unfair or unnecessary.
Examples
“The high price of the coffee seems unjustified.”
“Many employees felt that the sudden changes to the holiday policy were completely unjustified given the company's recent profits.”
“While the initial concern was understandable, the continued surveillance of the population was deemed unjustified by the high court, as it violated fundamental privacy rights without a clear security benefit.”
Examples
simple
“The high price of the coffee seems unjustified.”
contextual
“Many employees felt that the sudden changes to the holiday policy were completely unjustified given the company's recent profits.”
complex
“While the initial concern was understandable, the continued surveillance of the population was deemed unjustified by the high court, as it violated fundamental privacy rights without a clear security benefit.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'remain'.
Real-World Examples
“Trade Expansion Act, that Carney called “unlawful, unjustified and illogical” at the time.” Etymology
From un- + justified.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unjustified