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Injustice: meaning, definitions and examples

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injustice

 

[ɪnˈʤʌstɪs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

social

Lack of fairness or justice; the violation of the rights of others; unfair treatment.

Synonyms

discrimination, inequity, unfairness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
injustice

Used when referring to a situation where something is morally or legally wrong, often on a larger scale such as social or systemic issues.

  • The activists are fighting against the injustice of the biased legal system.
  • History is filled with accounts of injustice during wartime.
unfairness

Often used in everyday situations to describe something that is not just or equitable, typically on a smaller scale or more personal level.

  • It seemed like an unfairness that she got blamed for the team's failure.
  • Children often complain about the perceived unfairness of certain rules.
inequity

Used to describe a lack of fairness or justice, particularly in terms of unequal distribution of resources or opportunities.

  • There are glaring inequities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas.
  • Efforts are being made to address the inequity in educational funding.
discrimination

Refers specifically to unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on certain characteristics like race, gender, age, or religion.

  • The company is under investigation for discrimination against older workers.
  • Legislation was passed to combat racial discrimination in schools.

Examples of usage

  • The protest was against the injustice of the legal system.
  • Many people suffer from economic injustices in society.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

Violation of the rights of others; a wrongful act.

Synonyms

unjust act, violation, wrongdoing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
injustice

Use when referring to a general situation, event, or condition that is unfair or lacking in justice.

  • The activists are fighting against social injustice.
  • He felt a deep sense of injustice when he was wrongly accused.
wrongdoing

Used to describe general unethical or illegal behavior, often less formal than 'violation'.

  • He was accused of numerous wrongdoings during his time in office.
  • The company tried to cover up the wrongdoing of its executives.
unjust act

Better used when describing a specific action or deed that is unfair or morally wrong.

  • The punishment he received was an unjust act by the authorities.
  • Taking away their rights was clearly an unjust act.
violation

Suitable when referring to breaking a rule, law, or agreement. This word has a strong legal connotation.

  • The company's actions were a violation of environmental laws.
  • There was a clear violation of her rights during the trial.

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer fought against the injustice done to her client.
  • The verdict was a clear example of injustice.
Context #3 | Noun

historical

Oppression or exploitation of individuals or groups; a situation where rights are denied.

Synonyms

discrimination, exploitation, oppression.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
injustice

Used when referring to an act or situation where someone is treated unfairly or wrongfully.

  • The harsh punishment for a minor offense was a clear injustice
  • She fought against the injustice of the legal system
oppression

Used when a group or individual is kept down by unjust authority or force, often in social or political contexts.

  • The dictator’s reign was marked by brutal oppression of the population
  • Throughout history, many groups have fought against oppression
exploitation

Used when someone takes unfair advantage of another person, often for personal gain and typically in a work or economic context, often has negative connotations.

  • The exploitation of child labor in developing countries is a serious problem
  • She felt exploited when her hard work was barely recognized
discrimination

Used when someone is treated differently or unfairly based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.

  • The company faced allegations of discrimination in its hiring practices
  • Discrimination against minorities is a pressing issue in many countries

Examples of usage

  • The history of this country is full of injustices towards indigenous people.
  • The struggle for civil rights was a fight against injustice.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from the Latin 'injustitia,' where 'in-' means 'not' and 'justitia' means 'justice.'
  • Throughout history, the fight against injustice has led to significant social movements, like the suffrage movement and civil rights movement, aiming for equality.
  • In ancient societies, legal codes were established to address injustices, such as the Code of Hammurabi in Babylon, which aimed to create a system of fair treatment.

Current Events

  • Global movements like Black Lives Matter highlight ongoing injustices, advocating for equality and justice for marginalized communities.
  • Injustice often appears in environmental contexts, where low-income communities disproportionately suffer from pollution and climate change impacts.
  • Reports of human rights violations, such as unfair trials or discrimination, frequently make headlines as calls to action for justice rise in society.

Literature

  • Classic literature, such as 'To Kill a Mockingbird', explores themes of injustice, exposing the bias present in legal and social systems.
  • George Orwell's '1984' depicts how governmental injustices can exist when power is misused, affecting individual rights.
  • Many poets, like Maya Angelou, use their work to confront injustices faced by marginalized groups, aiming to inspire change.

Psychology

  • Experiencing injustice can lead to feelings of anger and frustration, impacting mental health and overall well-being.
  • Studies show that witnessing or experiencing unfair treatment can lead individuals to become advocates for social change and justice.
  • The concept of 'moral outrage' occurs when people perceive injustice, spurring them to take action or address wrongs.

Pop Culture

  • Films like '12 Angry Men' and 'Erin Brockovich' highlight real-life injustices, prompting audiences to think critically about fairness and accountability.
  • Many songs in popular music address themes of injustice, using art to evoke emotions and raise awareness, like 'Fight the Power' by Public Enemy.
  • Social media has become a powerful tool for highlighting incidents of injustice, allowing voices to amplify calls for change and mobilizing collective action.

Translations

Translations of the word "injustice" in other languages:

🇵🇹 injustiça

🇮🇳 अन्याय

🇩🇪 Ungerechtigkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakadilan

🇺🇦 несправедливість

🇵🇱 niesprawiedliwość

🇯🇵 不正

🇫🇷 injustice

🇪🇸 injusticia

🇹🇷 adaletsizlik

🇰🇷 불공정

🇸🇦 ظلم

🇨🇿 nespravedlnost

🇸🇰 nespravodlivosť

🇨🇳 不公正

🇸🇮 krivica

🇮🇸 ranglæti

🇰🇿 әділетсіздік

🇬🇪 უსამართლობა

🇦🇿 ədalətsizlik

🇲🇽 injusticia

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,764 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.