just reward
What's fairly owed
A just reward is what someone deserves based on their actions—punishment for wrongdoing or recognition for merit.
The phrase often carries ironic weight, suggesting that someone finally got what was coming to them: After years of cheating investors, prison was his just reward.
It can also be used sincerely for positive outcomes: The promotion was a just reward for her dedication.
State of being warranted
- dueOwed or expected
- desertsAbandons or barren lands
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- appropriatenessQuality of being suitable
fittingness · proportionality · rightness · equity · evenhandedness · impartiality · fair play · level playing field
Payment for loss
- remunerationPayment for work done
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- earningsMoney gained from work
- wagesPayment for work
salary · bonus · prize · payoff · settlement · indemnity · restitution · reparation
Official court decision
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
- convictionFirmly held belief
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
comeuppance · reckoning · judgment · punishment · consequence · penalty · sentence · accountability
Confirmation of receipt
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- praiseExpression of approval
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- tributeOffering of respect
honor · kudos · credit · appreciation · respect · esteem · laurels · applause
Accomplished goal or deed
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- worthinessState of deserving recognition
- deservingWorthy of reward
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
valor · integrity · distinction · honor · dignity · meritorious · worthy · decorum
deservedness
State of being warranted
appropriateness · fittingness · proportionality · rightness · equity · evenhandedness · impartiality · fair play · level playing field · fair shake
recompense
Payment for loss
- remunerationPayment for work done
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- earningsMoney gained from work
wages · salary · bonus · prize · payoff · settlement · indemnity · restitution · reparation · amends
verdict
Official court decision
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
- convictionFirmly held belief
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
retribution · comeuppance · reckoning · judgment · punishment · consequence · penalty · sentence · accountability · atonement
acknowledgment
Confirmation of receipt
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- praiseExpression of approval
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
tribute · honor · kudos · credit · appreciation · respect · esteem · laurels · applause · ovation
achievement
Accomplished goal or deed
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- worthinessState of deserving recognition
- deservingWorthy of reward
virtue · valor · integrity · distinction · honor · dignity · meritorious · worthy · decorum · accomplishment
just rewardill-gotten gains
Wealth obtained dishonestly
lucky break · stroke of luck · fluke · free ride · something for nothing
just rewardjust punishment
Fitting penalty for wrongdoing
comeuppance · just deserts · retribution · poetic justice · righteous judgment
just rewardunfair treatment
miscarriage of justice · raw deal · injustice · cruel fate · bad break
just, reward, justice, justify, justification, justified, unjust, justly, injustice