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.
But, in a bit of poetic justice, the tax failed to get even a majority vote. Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 21 Apr. 2025 In a macabre form of poetic justice, Dugina’s death has become the subject of the sort of conspiracy theories that her father traffics in. James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025 There’s a sort of poetic justice in their proximity, hinting at a strong bond between reading and drug dependency. Daniel Saldaña París, Harper's Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024 The fact that Daisy sounds like a sweet grandma only adds to the poetic justice. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poetic justice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poetic%20justice. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on poetic justice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!