unjustified
pronunciation
How to pronounce unjustified in British English: UK [ˌʌnˈdʒʌstɪfaɪd]
How to pronounce unjustified in American English: US [ˌʌnˈdʒʌstɪfaɪd]
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- Adjective:
- lacking justification or authorization
Word Origin
- unjustified (adj.)
- mid-14c., "not punished or executed," from un- (1) "not" + past participle of justify (v.). Meaning "not proven to be right or proper" is attested from 1680s.
Example
- 1. This smacks of unjustified optimism .
- 2. I regard class distinctions as unjustified and , in the last resort , based on force .
- 3. Though not wholly unjustified , it glides over a history filled with many disappointments .
- 4. Yet this additional gloom is unjustified even though the diplomatic mood is bleak .
- 5. Critics think this gives the american authorities unjustified powers , for example to boot undesirable websites off the internet .