justly earned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justly earned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been obtained or achieved in a fair and deserved manner. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, her promotion was justly earned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In retrospect, fame may appear to be a justly earned reward for the inventor of practical electric light in 1879 — yet Edison's fame came before light.

The New York Times

Economic divisions might actually be acceptable if they act as incentives to encourage people to work hard and if high rewards are justly earned by those with the skills and capacity to carry out the most difficult or demanding jobs.

The Guardian - Books

In fact, despite his justly earned reputation as the BBC's most adversarial political interviewer, there are times here when Paxman sounds like nothing so much as a genial, prosy English vicar of the old school.

The New York Times - Books

At the same time, too many chief executives are well-paid without creating value, according to Mr. Jensen, who raises no objection to pay in the tens of millions as long as it is, by his standard, justly earned.

The New York Times

Despite having 19 seasons as an N.B.A. player, during which Kidd justly earned a reputation as one of the smartest players in the game, as a point guard who could read the court better than almost anyone, he is frank about his lack of experience as a coach and recently addressed it in an interview.

The New York Times - Sports

Li Na justly earned plaudits for becoming the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam title on Saturday, but her accomplishment was even greater than that: if we can put Russia in Europe (and I think we can, since its tennis champions mostly come from Moscow, not Siberia), Li is the first Asian champion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Without the guarantee of a justly-earned paycheck, the "compliments" of an Oscar don't mean much, she told host Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani.

Huffington Post

In addition to the shows which earned her six Emmy awards, she was the producer of the ill fated and justly forgotten quiz show, "The Generation Gap" (ABC 1968-1969).

The New York Times

Justly or not, it's her glamorously tormented self-portraits, not his invocations of the working masses, that have earned a place in pop culture.

The New York Times - Arts

Money earned.

The New York Times - Sports

Not earned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "justly earned", ensure that the context supports the idea of fairness and desert. This phrase is most effective when there's a clear connection between effort and outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "justly earned" in situations where the outcome is not clearly linked to effort or merit. Applying this phrase inappropriately can undermine its credibility and suggest a lack of awareness of the true circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "justly earned" primarily functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating that something was obtained or achieved in a fair and deserved manner. As Ludwig AI highlights, it denotes legitimacy and appropriateness of the acquisition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Justly earned" is an adjective phrase denoting that something has been acquired fairly and deservingly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability in various contexts, primarily within news and media. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively communicates approval and legitimacy. Alternatives such as "deservedly gained" or "rightfully acquired" offer similar connotations. To ensure correct usage, writers should apply "justly earned" when a clear link exists between effort and outcome. In essence, this phrase serves to validate achievements and underscore the merit behind them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deservedly gained

Emphasizes the act of gaining something that one deserves, focusing on the positive outcome.

rightfully acquired

Highlights the legal or moral right to possess something, implying a legitimate claim.

fairly won

Stresses the impartiality and justice involved in obtaining something, typically through competition or effort.

legitimately obtained

Focuses on the lawfulness and validity of how something was acquired, often in a formal context.

well-deserved

Highlights that something was fully merited, often used to express approval or satisfaction.

appropriately rewarded

Implies that the reward is fitting for the effort or achievement, suggesting a sense of proportionality.

justifiably merited

Emphasizes that there are valid reasons and justification for deserving something.

fittingly attained

Stresses that the way something was attained is appropriate and suitable for the situation.

properly deserved

Focuses on the correctness and appropriateness of deserving something, aligning with established norms.

honestly procured

Highlights the integrity and ethical nature of how something was obtained, emphasizing trustworthiness.

FAQs

How can I use "justly earned" in a sentence?

Use "justly earned" to describe something that was achieved through deserved effort and fairness. For example, "After years of dedication, the team's victory was "justly earned"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "justly earned"?

You can use alternatives like "deservedly gained", "rightfully acquired", or "fairly won" depending on the context.

Is "justly earned" formal or informal?

"Justly earned" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but is generally used in more descriptive or narrative writing rather than casual conversation.

What's the difference between "justly earned" and "well-deserved"?

While both phrases imply deserving something, "justly earned" emphasizes the fairness and legitimacy of the achievement, whereas "well-deserved" focuses more on the satisfaction and appropriateness of the reward.