uhn-JUHST-lee
/əˈndʒʌstli/
unjustly is pronounced uhn-JUHST-lee (/əˈndʒʌstli/). Unjustly means in a way that is unfair or morally wrong, typically describing actions or judgments that are not deserved or not warranted. The word conveys a sense of bias or illegitimate treatment, often implying violation of fairness or rights. It is used in formal or analytical contexts to critique conduct or decisions.
Unjustly means in a way that is unfair or morally wrong, typically describing actions or judgments that are not deserved or not warranted. The word conveys a sense of bias or illegitimate treatment, often implying violation of fairness or rights. It is used in formal or analytical contexts to critique conduct or decisions.
"The verdict was unjustly biased by incomplete evidence."
"She argued that the decision was unjustly punitive."
"The policy unfairly targeted certain groups, unjustly affecting their livelihoods."
Pronounce as /ənˈdʒʌst.li/ in US/UK; for AU, we similarly say /ənˈdʒəst.li/. Start with a schwa, then the stressed 'just' sound /ˈdʒʌst/ or /ˈdʒəst/ depending on dialect, followed by a clear 'ly' /li/. The primary stress is on the second syllable: un-JUST-ly. Mouth positions: lips relaxed for schwa, then a voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/ as in “judge,” teeth lightly on the lower lip border, tongue high-mid behind the alveolar ridge, and final /li/ with a light, clean vowel and an energetically released /l/.
Common errors include slurring the /dʒ/ into a hard /j/ as in ‘judgey’ and reducing the vowel in the second syllable (e.g., saying /ənˈdʒɪstli/ or /ənˈdʒɪstli/). Correct it by ensuring the middle syllable is the clear /ɜ/ or /ə/ quality depending on dialect, with the /dʒ/ articulated as a palato-alveolar affricate and the final /li/ kept light and separate from the preceding consonant. Practice by isolating /dʒ/ then attaching it to /ə/ or /ʌ/ before counting three: un- (unstressed) + JUST (stressed) + ly (syllable).
In US accents, you’ll hear /ənˈdʒʌstli/ with a tense /ʌ/ in the stressed vowel. UK accents often feature a slightly shorter, broader /ʌ/ or even /ɒ/ in some speakers, giving /ənˈdʒɒstli/ or /ənˈdʒʌstli/. Australian speech typically preserves /ə/ or /ɜː/ in the first unstressed vowel and uses /ə/ in the second syllable, resulting in /ənˈdʒəstli/ or /ənˈdʒɒstli/ depending on speaker. The rhoticity is minimal in non-rhotic UK/AU, affecting linking to following vowels. Pay attention to the vowel quality of /ʌ/ vs /ɒ/ and the cleanness of /dʒ/ across dialects.
The difficulty lies in the cluster /dʒ/ immediately followed by /st/ and then /li/ in rapid speech, which can blur the middle vowel and soften the /t/. The stress on the second syllable makes the /dʒ/ onset heavy; ensure the mouth opens on /dʒ/ and closes promptly for /st/. Also, keeping the final /li/ distinct from the preceding /st/ can be tricky; practice by framing the word as un- (unstressed) + just- (stressed) + -ly, with clear pauses between the segments.
The unique aspect is the vowel in the stressed syllable, /ʌ/ in many speakers, and the need to maintain a sharp boundary between /dʒ/ and /st/ transitioning into /li/. Some speakers rezero the middle vowel toward /ə/ or /ɜ/ depending on dialect, which can change the perceived rhythm. Focus on a crisp /dʒ/ onset, clear /st/ release, and a luminous, light /li/ to avoid a fused ending.
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Unjustly is formed from the prefix un- (a negating prefix meaning not) attached to the adjective just (fair, deserved) and the suffix -ly (forming an adverb). Just originates from Old French just and Latin iustus, meaning lawful or righteous, with roots in the Proto-Indo-European *yews- meaning law or equity. The prefix un- has long been used in English to create negative forms since the Old English period. The evolution of unjust as a combined form captures the shift from describing fairness to describing its negation, while -ly converts the adjective into an adverb describing manner. Early attestations appear in Middle English writings, aligning with similar formations like unfairly and unjustifiable. Over time, unjustly has maintained a formal, evaluative tone, commonly used in legal, ethical, and critical discourse to indicate that an action or judgment lacks justice or propriety. It emphasizes moral evaluation rather than neutral description, and in modern usage often co-occurs with nouns like “conduct,” “treatment,” or “decision.”
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Words that rhyme with "unjustly"
-sty sounds
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