unjust
Lacking fair treatment
Unjust means not fair or not morally right.
An unjust law treats people unequally.
An unjust accusation lacks proper grounds.
The word carries moral weight—calling something unjust implies it violates principles of fairness or equity, not just that you disagree with it: The workers protested what they saw as unjust wages.
Not the same
- disproportionateNot properly scaled
- imbalancedUnevenly distributed or proportioned
- lopsidedUnequally balanced
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
unfair · unmerited · undeserved · unwarranted · asymmetrical · skewed · two-tiered · preferential
Not authorized or recognized
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
- baselessLacking factual support
- groundlessLacking factual support
- unjustifiedLacking adequate reason
arbitrary · false · erroneous · improper · invalid · unsubstantiated · unfounded · wrongful conviction
Unequal distribution of resources
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- exploitationSelfish use of others
persecution · subjugation · colonialism · apartheid · segregation · disenfranchisement · marginalization · discrimination
Biased against a group
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
- partialFavoring one side
- one-sidedUnfairly weighted toward one
- partisanBiased toward one side
bigoted · racist · sexist · slanted · skewed · homophobic · ageist · chauvinistic
Corrupt payment for influence
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
extortion · fraud · kickback · malfeasance · payola · profiteering · racketeering · sleaze
unequal
Not the same
- disproportionateNot properly scaled
- imbalancedUnevenly distributed or proportioned
- lopsidedUnequally balanced
uneven · unfair · unmerited · undeserved · unwarranted · asymmetrical · skewed · two-tiered · preferential · favoritism
illegitimate
Not authorized or recognized
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
- baselessLacking factual support
- groundlessLacking factual support
unjustified · arbitrary · false · erroneous · improper · invalid · unsubstantiated · unfounded · wrongful conviction · wrongful termination
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
exploitation · persecution · subjugation · colonialism · apartheid · segregation · disenfranchisement · marginalization · discrimination · caste
prejudiced
Biased against a group
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
- partialFavoring one side
- one-sidedUnfairly weighted toward one
partisan · bigoted · racist · sexist · slanted · skewed · homophobic · ageist · chauvinistic · xenophobic
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
graft · extortion · fraud · kickback · malfeasance · payola · profiteering · racketeering · sleaze · misappropriation
- unfairnessunfair, biased, unequal, inequitable, one-sided
- moral judgmentsgood, evil, wicked, virtuous, moral
- U-wordsugly, ultimate, ultra, umbrella, unable
- intolerantbigoted, biased, prejudiced, discriminatory, intolerant
- moralitymoral, moral values, immoral, moral principles, moral code
- wrongdoingscrime, crimes, sin, sins, wrongdoing
unjustright
Morally proper or entitled
moral · ethical · proper · virtuous · principled
unjustlawful
Permitted by statute
legitimate · legal · justified · warranted · reasonable
- unjust dismissalImproper firing from employment