justice
JUHS-tihs
Justice (noun) means Fair treatment and the quality of being morally right, especially in how people are punished or rewarded. Example: “The protesters demanded justice for workers who had been treated unfairly by their employer.”
noun
1
Fair treatment and the quality of being morally right, especially in how people are punished or rewarded.
"The protesters demanded justice for workers who had been treated unfairly by their employer."
"The victims' families were finally seeing justice after years of waiting."
"She has a strong sense of justice."
2
The system of laws and courts that enforces fair treatment; the legal process.
"The justice system can be slow, but everyone deserves a fair trial."
"She works in the criminal justice system as a probation officer."
"He was brought to justice for the fraud."
3
A judge, especially of a higher court (often capitalised before a name).
"The senior justice asked both lawyers to keep their arguments brief."
"Each justice on the panel wrote a separate opinion."
"Justice Sotomayor delivered the majority opinion."
How to use justice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFair treatment under the law, the legal system that delivers it, or a judge's title.
Common pairings
bring to justice
sense of justice
miscarriage of justice
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Word forms
- Plural
- justices
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The protesters demanded _____ for workers who had been treated unfairly by their employer.
Etymology
From Latin iustitia, "righteousness, fairness," from iustus, "just."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for justice
See all rhymes for justice →Frequently asked questions
What does “justice” mean?
The word “justice” means fair treatment and the quality of being morally right, especially in how people are punished or rewarded. In plain terms, fair treatment under the law, the legal system that delivers it, or a judge's title.
How do you pronounce “justice”?
“Justice” is pronounced JUHS-tihs (/ˈd͡ʒʌs.tɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “justice” in a sentence?
Here is “justice” used in a sentence: “The victims' families were finally seeing justice after years of waiting.”
What is the opposite of “justice”?
The opposite of “justice” — its antonyms — is injustice.
What part of speech is “justice”?
“Justice” is a noun.
Where does the word “justice” come from?
The word “justice” comes from Latin. From Latin iustitia, "righteousness, fairness," from iustus, "just.".
Is “justice” a common word?
“Justice” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “justice” have?
“Justice” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: fair treatment and the quality of being morally right, especially in how people are punished or rewarded.
What is the difference between justice and revenge?
Justice seeks a fair, proportionate response to wrongdoing, decided impartially and guided by rules that apply to everyone. Revenge is personal retaliation driven by anger, with no limit beyond the wronged party's satisfaction. Justice aims to restore balance and protect society, while revenge simply repays harm with more harm.
What are the main types of justice?
Common forms include distributive justice, which concerns the fair sharing of resources and rewards; retributive justice, which focuses on proportionate punishment; procedural justice, which asks whether the process itself was fair; and restorative justice, which seeks to repair harm and reconcile the people involved rather than simply punish.
What is the opposite of justice?
The direct opposite is injustice: unfair treatment, or a situation in which people are wronged, denied their rights, or punished and rewarded without regard to what is deserved. Words like unfairness, inequality, and partiality describe related failures, where outcomes are decided by bias or privilege rather than by what is right.
Why is justice important?
Justice underpins trust in society. When people believe they will be treated fairly and that wrongs will be answered proportionately, they are more willing to cooperate, follow rules, and resolve disputes peacefully. Without it, grievances fester, power goes unchecked, and confidence in institutions collapses. It is a foundation of any stable community.
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