unjustified

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unjustified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is not based on good reasons or is not reasonable. For example: "The government's decision to cut taxes was completely unjustified given the current economic situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He needs to break his silence and say that Israel's actions have been unjustified and indefensible.

The Guardian

It is entirely unjustified educationally, professionally, logistically and in terms of personal health and community wellbeing".

The Guardian

Second, the sanctions seemed partly unjustified because they were based on the Freedom party's rhetoric – nothing terrible had happened yet – and themselves seemed largely symbolic; in other words, they were mostly about making leaders like Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schröder look good as Europe's democratic conscience.

The Guardian - Opinion

The evening sun had barely dipped behind the OCS Stand; the boos rang out, fueled by the booze, but hardly unjustified after an abject display from some highly compensated players.

The Guardian - Sport

London's transport commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy, last week described the trains of Southern's sister company, Southeastern – also run by Govia – as "shit" but on Wednesday retracted the comments as "unjustified".

The Guardian

By September, less than two months after Arfee's shooting, a "use of deadly force" review board concluded the shooting was unjustified, a finding echoed by two external reviews.

The Guardian

The basis for this was entirely unjustified and derived from systemic abuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

What he did in saying that was totally unjustified.

The Guardian - Sport

Is that reputation unjustified, then?

The Guardian - Music

Maersk, the Danish shipping giant that chartered the vessel seized by Iran, says the action was unjustified, but calls it an "isolated incident".

The Economist

But even if that riposte were unjustified, no country, however mighty, is entitled to write the laws of others.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unjustified" to express disapproval or disagreement with something that lacks a valid reason. It is important that its meaning is clear in the overall sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "unjustified" when a milder term like "unnecessary" or "inadvisable" would be more appropriate. Overstating the severity can weaken your argument and make it sound overly critical.

Linguistic Context

The term "unjustified" primarily functions as an adjective. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to describe something that is not based on good reasons or is not reasonable. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, from political commentary to legal assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unjustified" is an adjective used to describe something lacking a valid or reasonable basis. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's frequently employed in news, formal business contexts, and even scientific discussions to express disagreement or disapproval. While its register is generally neutral, it can lean towards formal. To effectively use "unjustified", ensure the context clearly explains why something lacks support and avoid overstating the severity. Alternatives include "unwarranted", "groundless", and "unfounded". With 58 real-world examples, Ludwig highlights the term's versatility and prevalence in diverse sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwarranted

Implies a lack of justification or authorization, similar to "unjustified" but often used when something is considered excessive or inappropriate.

groundless

Indicates a lack of factual basis or support, focusing on the absence of evidence.

unfounded

Similar to groundless, stressing the lack of foundation in fact or reality.

baseless

Emphasizes the absence of a solid foundation or support, suggesting a lack of credible evidence.

unmerited

Focuses on the lack of deserving quality or worth, implying that something is not deserved.

indefensible

Indicates something that cannot be defended or justified, often implying a strong moral or ethical failing.

unreasonable

Suggests that something is not logical or sensible, lacking reason or sound judgment.

inadmissible

Implies that something is not allowed or acceptable, often in a legal or formal context.

uncalled for

Suggests that something was unnecessary and inappropriate, often causing offense or harm.

gratuitous

Indicates that something is excessive and unnecessary, often used to describe actions or statements that are considered unwarranted.

FAQs

How can I use "unjustified" in a sentence?

You can use "unjustified" to describe actions, beliefs, or decisions that lack valid reasons or reasonable support. For example, "The company's layoffs were completely unjustified given their recent profits."

What can I say instead of "unjustified"?

You can use alternatives like "unwarranted", "groundless", or "unfounded" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unjustified" or "unjustifiable"?

Both "unjustified" and "unjustifiable" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Unjustified" describes something that is not currently justified, while "unjustifiable" describes something that cannot be justified.

What is the difference between "unjustified" and "unfair"?

"Unjustified" focuses on the lack of a valid reason or support, while "unfair" emphasizes a lack of impartiality or justice. An action can be unjustified without being unfair, and vice versa.