injustice

noun

in·​jus·​tice (ˌ)in-ˈjə-stəs 

1

: absence of justice : violation of right or of the rights of another : unfairness

2

: an unjust act : wrong

Synonyms

• inequity
• unfairness
• unjustness

Choose the Right Synonym for injustice

injustice, injury, wrong, grievance mean an act that inflicts undeserved hurt.

injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

determined to right society's wrongs

grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

a list of employee grievances

Examples of injustice in a Sentence

The organization is devoted to fighting economic injustice.

The law is part of an effort to correct an old injustice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Karen Gross, Southern Vermont College’s former president and senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Education, acknowledged the emotional toll of confronting systemic injustice. —Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Some see more expensive coffee as a corrective to an international system that has long underpaid producers, having the potential to rectify generations of injustice and environmental destruction. —Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025

Mallory details her early days growing up as the daughter of Harlem civil rights organizers as well as her own experience with injustice, healing and survival behind the headlines and podiums. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

President Trump, once again, kept his promise to the American people and abolished this injustice by effectively shuttering the woke laundering operation that was USAID. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin injustitia, from injustus unjust, from in- + justus just

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing injustice

• do an injustice to (someone or something)
• do (someone or something) an injustice

Rhymes for injustice

• justice

Kids Definition

injustice

noun

in·​jus·​tice (ˈ)in-ˈjəs-təs 

1

: violation of the rights of another : unfairness

2

: an unjust act

Legal Definition

injustice

noun

in·​jus·​tice

1

: absence of justice : violation of what is considered right and just or of the rights of another

2

: an unjust act