prejudge

verb

pre·​judge (ˌ)prē-ˈjəj How to pronounce prejudge (audio)
prejudged; prejudging; prejudges
Synonyms of prejudgenext

transitive verb

: to judge before hearing or before full and sufficient examination
prejudger noun
prejudgment
(ˌ)prē-ˈjəj-mənt How to pronounce prejudge (audio)
noun

Examples of prejudge in a Sentence

Officials complain that some reporters have prejudged the outcome of the investigation. She was wrong for prejudging him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the court would not prejudge the fairness of the proceedings agreed to by Flores in his contract. — Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. — Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Mar. 2025 The commission said the opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025 While the judicial canons prohibit me from prejudging any specific case, the law is the final authority. — Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for prejudge

Word History

Etymology

Middle French prejuger, from Latin praejudicare, from prae- + judicare to judge — more at judge entry 2

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prejudge was in 1579

Rhymes for prejudge

See All Rhymes for prejudge

Browse Nearby Words

prejob
prejudge
prejudger
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prejudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prejudge. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prejudge

verb
pre·​judge (ˈ)prē-ˈjəj How to pronounce prejudge (audio)
: to judge before receiving all or enough of the facts
prejudgment
-ˈjəj-mənt How to pronounce prejudge (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on prejudge

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prejudge

Nglish: Translation of prejudge for Spanish Speakers

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