just
1 of 3adjective
ˈjəst 
1
a
: having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : reasonable
had just reason to believe he was in danger
b
: conforming to a standard of correctness : proper
just proportions
c
archaic : faithful to an original
2
a(1)
: acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good : righteous
a just war
(2)
: being what is merited : deserved
a just punishment
b
: legally correct : lawful
just title to an estate
justly adverb
justness
ˈjəs(t)-nəs
noun just
2 of 3adverb
ˈjəst
ˈjist,
ˈjest,
also without t
1
a
: exactly, precisely
just right
b
: very recently
the bell just rang
2
a
: by a very small margin : barely
just too late
b
: immediately, directly
just west of here
3
a
: only, simply
just last year
just be yourself
b
: quite, very
just wonderful
4
: perhaps, possibly
it just might work
just
3 of 3 ˈjəst ˈjüst
ˈjüst archaic variant of joust
Synonyms
Adjective
- competent
- condign
- deserved
- due
- fair
- justified
- merited
- right
- rightful
- warranted
Adverb
- exactly
- precisely
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective a just cause for war The college treated the allegation with just seriousness. They got their just punishment for the crime. Adverb The store has just the tool you need. That's just what I expected. You have to accept me just as I am. This shirt fits just right. She called him a liar and told him he was just like all the other men she'd met. He was just here a minute ago. She had just returned when he entered. I was just going to telephone you! She's just finishing a letter, and she'll be with you shortly. I arrived just in time to see him win. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Harry Holzer, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023 These are simple ideas that can inform a broad compact with America—one that would recover wealth that was stolen from us and provide a more just and equitable future. —Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 19 Dec. 2022 Some of its main priorities include equitable funding for public schools, addressing opportunity gaps through literacy, increasing policies to help low-income students and making IPS a more just and equitable school district. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Oct. 2022 Until Congress stops renewing the ban on transferring detainees to this country, the most effective thing that the Biden Administration can do to bring the 9/11 trial to a quicker, more just conclusion is to take the death penalty off the table. —Amy Davidson Sorki, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2021 Many Catholic leaders and theologians there viewed Christ as the savior of the poor and the faith as an agent for a more just society. —Rachel Donadio, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2022 There have been leaders pushing to make health care a more just space, like Augustus White, a barrier-breaking physician who was Stanford’s first Black medical student. —Alissa Ambrose, STAT, 28 Dec. 2021 Tuesday is the beginning of what will be an interesting weather week, with just rain in the metro area while ice and snow in the Columbia River Gorge turns travel hazardous. —oregonlive, 20 Dec. 2022 Beyond just fascination, two sources claim, West allegedly took inspiration from Nazi propaganda strategies and power-gaining tactics to achieve his own fame and success. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2022 Jeff Stein, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023 The woman left for Thailand just two days after purchasing the ticket and landed on Jan. 5. —Adam Sabes, Fox News, 9 Feb. 2023 Being around each other every day and just knowing that anything can happen in a matter of seconds. —Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023 But LeBron just continues to deliver on everything that was anticipated or maybe expected out of an 18-year-old that also is impossible to project forward. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 Labor organizing on college campuses has been gaining steam of late, with another big push locally just this week. —Diti Kohli, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Feb. 2023 That rebuke offers more than just payback for President Joe Biden, who endured days of embarrassment as civilians from Montana to South Carolina watched the balloon make its slow course across American airspace. —Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2023 The Eagles rallied in the final quarter, but the Warriors skirted trouble with just enough offense to thwart all hopes. —Indy Star Ai Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Feb. 2023 All of Tuesday's comments were predicated on the general feeling that Mahomes will be able to not just function but play well on a high ankle sprain. —José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2023 See More
Adjective
This would make critical goods and services more available in many sectors over time – while also creating a more just and stable society as well. —Harry Holzer, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023 These are simple ideas that can inform a broad compact with America—one that would recover wealth that was stolen from us and provide a more just and equitable future. —Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 19 Dec. 2022 Some of its main priorities include equitable funding for public schools, addressing opportunity gaps through literacy, increasing policies to help low-income students and making IPS a more just and equitable school district. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Oct. 2022 Until Congress stops renewing the ban on transferring detainees to this country, the most effective thing that the Biden Administration can do to bring the 9/11 trial to a quicker, more just conclusion is to take the death penalty off the table. —Amy Davidson Sorki, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2021 Many Catholic leaders and theologians there viewed Christ as the savior of the poor and the faith as an agent for a more just society. —Rachel Donadio, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2022 There have been leaders pushing to make health care a more just space, like Augustus White, a barrier-breaking physician who was Stanford’s first Black medical student. —Alissa Ambrose, STAT, 28 Dec. 2021 Tuesday is the beginning of what will be an interesting weather week, with just rain in the metro area while ice and snow in the Columbia River Gorge turns travel hazardous. —oregonlive, 20 Dec. 2022 Beyond just fascination, two sources claim, West allegedly took inspiration from Nazi propaganda strategies and power-gaining tactics to achieve his own fame and success. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2022 Adverb
That would occur just as today’s 55-year-olds reach retirement age. —Jeff Stein, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023 The woman left for Thailand just two days after purchasing the ticket and landed on Jan. 5. —Adam Sabes, Fox News, 9 Feb. 2023 Being around each other every day and just knowing that anything can happen in a matter of seconds. —Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023 But LeBron just continues to deliver on everything that was anticipated or maybe expected out of an 18-year-old that also is impossible to project forward. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 Labor organizing on college campuses has been gaining steam of late, with another big push locally just this week. —Diti Kohli, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Feb. 2023 That rebuke offers more than just payback for President Joe Biden, who endured days of embarrassment as civilians from Montana to South Carolina watched the balloon make its slow course across American airspace. —Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2023 The Eagles rallied in the final quarter, but the Warriors skirted trouble with just enough offense to thwart all hopes. —Indy Star Ai Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Feb. 2023 All of Tuesday's comments were predicated on the general feeling that Mahomes will be able to not just function but play well on a high ankle sprain. —José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Adverb
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French juste, from Latin justus, from jus right, law; akin to Sanskrit yos welfare
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing just
Kids Definition
just
1 of 2 adjective ˈjəst
1
a
: well-founded, reasonable
a just comment
b
: being in agreement with a standard of correctness : proper
a just price
2
a
: morally right or good : righteous
a just cause for war
b
: being deserved
just punishment
3
: legally right
a just title
justly adverb
just
2 of 2 adverb (ˌ)jəst
(ˌ)jist,
(ˌ)jest
1
a
: exactly sense 1, precisely
just right
b
: very recently
the bell just rang
2
a
: by a small amount : barely
just over the line
b
: immediately sense 1, directly
just west of here
3
a
: nothing more than : only
just a note
b
: quite sense 1, very
just wonderful
Legal Definition
just
adjective : conforming to law or to the underlying principles of law: as
a
: conforming to reason or a standard of correctness
just sanctions cannot be excessive in relation to the offense
b
: conforming with what is deemed fair or good
the award of attorney's fees was just
the application of this rule retroactively is not just
justly adverb
justness noun
just 1 of 2
adverb
1
as in exactly
in the same manner you can do it just the way they do Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- exactly
- precisely
- even
- perfectly
- expressly
- to a T
- similarly
- uniformly
- likewise
- alike
- faultlessly
- identically
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- somewhat
- slightly
- vaguely
- differently
- variably
2
as in barely
by a very small margin I was just over the minimum age requirement for the senior citizen discount Synonyms & Similar Words
- barely
- slightly
- almost
- narrowly
- hardly
- scarcely
- somewhat
- nearly
- marginally
- minimally
- approximately
- partly
- closely
- roughly
- by the skin of one's teeth
- minutely
- scantly
- plus or minus
- more or less
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- well
- significantly
- substantially
- quite
- definitely
- considerably
- easily
- plainly
- vastly
- completely
- positively
- fully
- unquestionably
- greatly
- generously
- abundantly
- copiously
3
as in only
nothing more than I was just kidding Synonyms & Similar Words
- only
- merely
- simply
- but
- purely
4
as in right
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference the length of the curtain is just right Synonyms & Similar Words
- right
- exactly
- precisely
- due
- full
- sharp
- squarely
- smack-dab
- on the nose
- on the button
5
as in simply
for nothing other than got this present just for you Synonyms & Similar Words
- only
- simply
- exclusively
- solely
- purely
- basically
- alone
- mostly
- mainly
- primarily
- generally
- substantially
- principally
- largely
- chiefly
- predominantly
- by and large
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- also
- likewise
- additionally
- besides
6
as in lately
not long ago I just bought this dress Synonyms & Similar Words
- lately
- late
- recently
- only
- newly
- now
- new
- freshly
- of late
- latterly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- previously
- before
- early
- earlier
- ago
- formerly
- anciently
- heretofore
- hitherto
- erstwhile
just
2 of 2adjective
1
as in justified
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong a just punishment should fit the crime Synonyms & Similar Words
- justified
- deserved
- due
- right
- warranted
- suitable
- proper
- competent
- appropriate
- legitimate
- meet
- legal
- merited
- fair
- fitting
- rightful
- apt
- fit
- requisite
- correct
- strict
- true
- applicable
- condign
- accurate
- lawful
- square
- equitable
- stringent
- impartial
- uncompromising
- rhadamanthine
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unfair
- irrelevant
- unjust
- unreasonable
- unwarranted
- undue
- incorrect
- undeserved
- unjustified
- inappropriate
- incoherent
- improper
- partial
- unsuitable
- biased
- inapplicable
- arbitrary
- unequal
- unjustifiable
- irrelative
- indefensible
- unmerited
- inequitable
- unlawful
- inapt
- despotic
- inapposite
- illegitimate
2
as in logical
based on sound reasoning or information there are just reasons for the state's ban of the private use of fireworks Synonyms & Similar Words
- logical
- reasonable
- good
- reasoned
- hard
- valid
- justified
- sensible
- rational
- true
- solid
- informed
- firm
- real
- sure
- commonsense
- sober
- plausible
- actual
- validated
- certain
- commonsensical
- convincing
- commonsensible
- credible
- levelheaded
- well-founded
- substantiated
- confirmed
- verified
- certified
- corroborated
- cogent
- colorable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unreasonable
- irrational
- uninformed
- illogical
- nonsensical
- unfounded
- invalid
- groundless
- unsound
- weak
- unwarranted
- unjustified
- unsupported
- nonvalid
- implausible
- flimsy
- nonrational
- unsubstantiated
- misguided
- unconvincing
- unreasoned
- false
- fallacious
- misled
3
as in nice
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue they are a just people who are guided by a firm belief in God and a love of traditional values Synonyms & Similar Words
- nice
- good
- true
- honest
- honorable
- ethical
- right
- decent
- all right
- worthy
- straight
- moral
- noble
- virtuous
- respected
- upright
- correct
- righteous
- proper
- seemly
- pure
- legitimate
- right-minded
- innocent
- commendable
- exemplary
- clean
- decorous
- creditable
- principled
- reputable
- scrupulous
- unobjectionable
- guiltless
- upstanding
- blameless
- esteemed
- immaculate
- irreproachable
- inoffensive
- high-minded
- angelic
- spotless
- incorrupted
- sanctimonious
- menschy
- moralistic
- pharisaical
- rectitudinous
- incorruptible
- uncorrupted
- unerring
- incorrupt
- law-abiding
- goody-goody
- self-righteous
- angelical
- lily-white
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- wrong
- bad
- evil
- wicked
- dishonest
- sinful
- immoral
- incorrect
- unethical
- unseemly
- mean
- improper
- naughty
- indecent
- dishonorable
- unbecoming
- unrighteous
- degenerate
- debased
- perverted
- depraved
- corrupt
- low
- base
- debauched
- unscrupulous
- indecorous
- dissolute
- atrocious
- infamous
- libertine
- unprincipled
- vile
- vicious
- objectionable
- villainous
- evil-minded
- offensive
- reprobate
- fallen
- nefarious
- blameworthy
- iniquitous
- erring
- errant
4
as in honest
following the accepted rules of moral conduct the sort of just conduct that we expect of every soldier Synonyms & Similar Words
- honest
- honorable
- ethical
- decent
- good
- respectable
- nice
- noble
- upright
- righteous
- upstanding
- principled
- proper
- stand-up
- classy
- respected
- guiltless
- unassailable
- conscientious
- polite
- blameless
- moral
- seemly
- irreproachable
- fair
- scrupulous
- unimpeachable
- virtuous
- chivalrous
- reputable
- menschy
- high-minded
- right-minded
- uncorrupted
- incorruptible
- decorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mean
- base
- low
- bad
- unjust
- unworthy
- dishonest
- criminal
- unethical
- ignoble
- evil
- dishonorable
- unfair
- sinful
- rotten
- immoral
- unprincipled
- unrighteous
- crooked
- reprehensible
- nefarious
- wicked
- rascally
- iniquitous
- corrupt
- roguish
- vile
- wretched
- unscrupulous
- loose
- villainous
- culpable
- shameful
- degraded
- knavish
- blameworthy
- blackguardly
- degenerate
- disgraceful
- scoundrelly
- blamable
- venal
- perverted
- perverse
- debased
- censurable
- depraved
- decadent
- demoralized
- dissipated
- profligate
- debauched
- dissolute
- libertine
- reprobate
- disreputable
5
as in honorable
guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong stopping to help a stranded motorist is simply the just thing to do Synonyms & Similar Words
- honorable
- good
- honest
- moral
- worthy
- conscientious
- ethical
- responsible
- scrupulous
- true
- decent
- conscionable
- straight
- principled
- respectful
- virtuous
- reliable
- solid
- upright
- respected
- righteous
- observant
- dutiful
- right-minded
- trustworthy
- trusty
- overconscientious
- reputable
- upstanding
- esteemed
- tried-and-true
- law-abiding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bad
- unjust
- dishonest
- unconscionable
- immoral
- evil
- unethical
- unscrupulous
- wicked
- dishonorable
- sinful
- immoral
- cutthroat
- unprincipled
- mean
- indecent
- unreliable
- unrighteous
- untrustworthy
- degenerate
- debased
- perverted
- depraved
- low
- base
- atrocious
- corrupt
- debauched
- infamous
- dissolute
- vile
- vicious
- villainous
- evil-minded
- nefarious
- reprobate
- iniquitous
6
as in equal
marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias a just appraisal of the political situation over there Synonyms & Similar Words
- equal
- impartial
- equitable
- objective
- indifferent
- square
- disinterested
- fair
- candid
- unbiased
- dispassionate
- straightforward
- reasonable
- frank
- straight
- open
- evenhanded
- unprejudiced
- rational
- balanced
- nonpartisan
- forthright
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- partial
- unjust
- biased
- unreasonable
- partisan
- deceptive
- prejudiced
- dishonest
- arbitrary
- inequitable
- unconscionable
- nonobjective
- parti pris
- deceitful
- ex parte
- one-sided
- warped
- colored
- distorted
- unfriendly
- unsympathetic
- jaundiced
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of just are conscientious, honest, honorable, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.
workers given just compensation
Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.
conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will
In some situations, the words honest and just are roughly equivalent. However, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.
known for being honest in business dealings
While in some cases nearly identical to just, honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.
a difficult but honorable decision
The synonyms upright and just are sometimes interchangeable, but upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.
a stern and upright minister