Word
unjustly
Phoneticsun·just·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈdʒəstɫi/
UK/ʌndʒˈʌstli/
Definition
adv. in a way that is unfair or not right. You use this when someone is treated badly without a good reason.
adv. in a manner that is unfair or not based on reason or law.
Examples
“He was treated unjustly by his boss.”
“The witness felt she was being treated unjustly by the judge during the trial.”
“The historical record shows that many individuals were unjustly imprisoned without any evidence of their guilt, leading to a long-standing demand for a formal apology from the state.”
Examples
simple
“He was treated unjustly by his boss.”
contextual
“The witness felt she was being treated unjustly by the judge during the trial.”
complex
“The historical record shows that many individuals were unjustly imprisoned without any evidence of their guilt, leading to a long-standing demand for a formal apology from the state.”
Etymology
From unjust + -ly or un- + justly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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/unjustly