unjustified

adjective

un·​jus·​ti·​fied ˌən-ˈjə-stə-ˌfīd How to pronounce unjustified (audio)
: not justified: such as
a
: not demonstrably correct or judicious : not warranted or appropriate
unjustified anger
an unjustified punishment
b
: not spaced to be even
unjustified lines of text
an unjustified margin

Examples of unjustified in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Loading your audio article SANTA CLARA — The 49ers came into this season with unjustified bravado and confidence. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024 The low score was attributed to unjustified review bombing with the key evidence for this being that the show's Rotten Tomatoes critics' score stands at a more respectable 78%. Caroline Reid, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 The agency’s caution over warning-label design comes amid threats from the food industry to sue over any label deemed unjustified. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 25 Nov. 2024 The excessive force case involving Johnson concerns his tasing of a fleeing suspect in an action later deemed unjustified. Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unjustified 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unjustified was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near unjustified

Cite this Entry

“Unjustified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unjustified. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

unjustified

adjective
un·​jus·​ti·​fied
ˌən-ˈjəs-tə-ˌfīd
: not justified
an unjustified intrusion

More from Merriam-Webster on unjustified

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