poetic justice

noun

: an outcome in which vice is punished and virtue rewarded usually in a manner peculiarly or ironically appropriate

Examples of poetic justice in a Sentence

After the way he treated his staff, it was poetic justice that he lost his job.
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.
For more than a decade, photos and videos of the epic gridlock stretching from LAX into the Westside have signaled the unofficial start of the holiday weekend and a bit of poetic justice for snowbound East Coasters jealous of our warm Thanksgiving al fresco. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024 But in a case of poetic justice, the semi-arid terrain has proven ideal for cultivating wine grapes. Sofia Perez, Saveur, 21 Nov. 2024 Boniface, who was so important to helping Alonso’s team build their attacking rhythm, but who missed so much of the season through injury, scored from the penalty spot to garnish the day with poetic justice. Luke Bosher, The Athletic, 14 Apr. 2024 The return of the acres of ancestral lands is poetic justice to the Shasta Indians. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for poetic justice 

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poetic justice was in 1691

Dictionary Entries Near poetic justice

Cite this Entry

“Poetic justice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poetic%20justice. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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