What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unjustified
Example
The teacher's decision to fail the student was unjustified. [unjustified: adjective]
Example
He made an unjustified accusation against his colleague. [unjustified: adjective]
Example
The company's decision to lay off employees was unjustified. [unjustified: adjective]
unwarranted
Example
The police officer's use of force was unwarranted. [unwarranted: adjective]
Example
Her criticism of the project was unwarranted since she didn't have all the information. [unwarranted: adjective]
Example
The company's decision to increase prices was unwarranted given their profits. [unwarranted: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unjustified is more commonly used than unwarranted in everyday language. Unjustified is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unwarranted is less common and tends to be used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unjustified and unwarranted?
Both unjustified and unwarranted are formal words that are typically used in more serious or professional contexts. However, unjustified may be used in more casual or informal situations as well.