justice

Fair treatment that gives people what they deserve and applies rules equally.

• Everyone deserves justice.
• The school teaches children about fairness and justice.
• Equal justice should apply to rich and poor people alike.

Similar words: fairness, equity

Opposites: injustice, unfairness

Common phrases: social justice, sense of justice, equal justice, justice of something

Fair action that puts right the harm someone has suffered.

• The victims want justice.
• She fought for justice after losing her job unfairly.
• The families waited years before they received justice.

How to use it: justice for someone (The families are seeking justice for their children.)

Similar words: redress

Opposites: injustice

Common phrases: seek justice, justice for someone, demand justice

Fair judgment and punishment of people who have done wrong.

• The judge said justice had been served.
• They want the thieves brought to justice.
• A fair trial is essential to criminal justice.

How to use it: bring someone to justice (The police promised to bring the attackers to justice.)

Opposites: injustice

Common phrases: criminal justice, bring to justice, justice system