unjustifiably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unjustifiably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or situation that lacks justification or is not warranted. Example: "The decision to terminate her contract was unjustifiably harsh, given her contributions to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rough idea is that state action is an unjustifiable exercise of force by an unjustifiably privileged few unless those who wield state power have been authorised to do so by those most likely to be affected by it.

The Economist

Seismology is a sensitive topic in Italy, where seven experts were given prison sentences (against which they are appealing) in 2012 after being found guilty of offering unjustifiably reassuring advice on the eve of an earthquake that killed 309 people.

The Economist

For instance, little effort is devoted to measuring results, and foundations have unjustifiably high administration costs.Michael Bailin, head of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, has described the typical foundation as "autocratic, ineffective and wilful, elitist, cloistered, arrogant and pampered".

The Economist

The Iranian government is indeed "paranoid"—and not entirely unjustifiably.

The Economist

Shutting the sick and healthy up together in their homes and waiting for nature to take its course was unjustifiably cruel, he wrote, and a move away from this draconian system was required.

The Economist

On the other side, Caroline Roberts, a housewife in a prosperous Richmond suburb, said Mr Kaine was a "terrible liberal" who had raised property taxes unjustifiably when he was the city's mayor.

The Economist

So it came as some surprise to the Associated Press (AP), a news agency, to discover officials from the Justice Department had quietly obtained records of more than 20 phone lines used by its journalists in New York, Washington and Hartford, Connecticut.AP condemned the seizure as unjustifiably sweeping.

The Economist

These firms have traditionally faced interest rates that seem unjustifiably high given their low risk of default.

The Economist

Maybe the country could learn from the establishment of liberal-democratic systems in its two neighbours, South Africa and Mozambique, in the 1990s.However, you are unjustifiably harsh and just a bit eurocentric.

The Economist

The consulting firms argue that there is little danger of this: few businesses hire, or buy advice, from just one firm, so it would be hard for one firm's alumni to get away with unjustifiably favouring their old employers.

The Economist

The KPK is independent of the government but, somewhat unjustifiably, the president has gained kudos for its successes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unjustifiably" to clearly convey that an action, belief, or situation lacks a reasonable or acceptable basis. It adds emphasis and a critical perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "unjustifiably" when describing purely emotional reactions or subjective feelings, as justification is less relevant in those contexts. It's better suited for situations involving decisions, rules, or judgments.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unjustifiably" is to act as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that something is done, believed, or exists without proper justification. Ludwig AI confirms this adverbial usage, showcasing it modifies actions and states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "unjustifiably" is used to indicate that something lacks reasonable or acceptable justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "without justification" or "inexcusably" exist, "unjustifiably" provides a concise and direct means of expressing disapproval or critique when something lacks a legitimate basis. Ensure it aligns with the formality and context; while versatile, it is best suited for professional and educated audiences when discussing decisions or judgments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without justification

A more literal alternative, directly stating the absence of a justifying reason.

inexcusably

Focuses on the indefensible nature of the action, implying it's beyond justification.

indefensibly

Similar to 'inexcusably' but may suggest a more formal or legal context.

without due cause

Highlights the absence of sufficient reason or legitimate grounds for an action.

unreasonably

Highlights the lack of rationality or fairness in the action or decision.

unduly

Suggests that something is excessive or inappropriate in degree.

for no good reason

Emphasizes the lack of a valid or sensible explanation for something done.

arbitrarily

Indicates the decision was made randomly or without a clear principle or system.

unwarrantedly

Similar to 'without warrant' but presented as an adverb.

without warrant

Suggests the action lacks authorization or legitimate basis.

FAQs

How can I use "unjustifiably" in a sentence?

Use "unjustifiably" to modify a verb or adjective, indicating that an action or quality lacks reasonable justification. For example: "The company's profits were "unjustifiably high"" or "He was "unjustifiably fired" from his job".

What words are similar to "unjustifiably"?

Similar words include "inexcusably", "unreasonably", "arbitrarily", and "unduly". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the lack of justification.

Is it better to say "unjustifiably" or "without justification"?

Both phrases are correct, but "unjustifiably" is more concise and integrates directly into the sentence as an adverb. "Without justification" may be preferred when you want to emphasize the absence of justification more explicitly.

What's the difference between "unjustifiably" and "unfairly"?

"Unjustifiably" emphasizes the lack of a valid reason or basis, while "unfairly" emphasizes a lack of impartiality or equity. An action can be "unjustifiably" harsh even if applied equally, and "unfairly" lenient despite having a rationale.