Judgment Meaning
Judgment Definition & Usage
The act or process of forming an opinion or decision about something, often in a formal or legal context.
Examples
- "The judge's judgment was clear: the defendant was guilty as charged."
- "Her judgment about the quality of the restaurant was spot on."
- "He made the judgment to leave the company after careful thought."
- "The committee's judgment on the proposal will be announced next week."
- "The judgment in the case was appealed by the defense lawyer."
The ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions.
Examples
- "Her judgment is impeccable when it comes to managing crises."
- "It takes good judgment to navigate a difficult relationship."
- "His poor judgment led to the failure of the project."
- "In a crisis, your judgment could mean the difference between life and death."
- "She trusted his judgment in making important business decisions."
An assessment or evaluation of something or someone, often influenced by personal opinion or perspective.
Examples
- "I don’t trust her judgment of people; she’s too quick to judge."
- "His judgment of the film was overly harsh, given how much work went into it."
- "Her judgment of the painting was based on her deep knowledge of art history."
- "The public's judgment of the politician's actions was largely negative."
- "He received mixed judgments on his performance during the trial."
Cultural Context
The concept of judgment has been important in various cultures, especially within legal systems and ethical discussions. In Western societies, it is often tied to the concept of justice, as seen in the judiciary. Judgment can also be a social construct, where people make decisions about others based on their own values, experiences, and biases.
The Judge's Dilemma
Story
The Judge's Dilemma
Judge Eleanor Carr had been known for her sharp judgment and unwavering sense of justice. For years, she had presided over high-profile cases, never once swayed by public opinion or personal feelings. But today, as she sat at her desk, reviewing the details of the latest case—a wrongful conviction appeal—she felt the weight of her decisions more heavily than ever before. The case was clear-cut, or so it seemed at first. John Halloway had spent 12 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. New evidence had come to light, and the question was whether the original judgment was flawed. Should she uphold the decision, or was it time for a change? Her judgment had always been based on the facts—cold, hard facts. But as she read through the testimony again, something in the case bothered her. The defendant's demeanor seemed different now, less certain, perhaps because he had lived so many years behind bars. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her initial judgment might have been hasty. The night before the ruling, Eleanor met with her longtime friend, Sarah, who worked as a prosecutor. ‘How do you make judgments, Sarah?’ Eleanor asked, her voice unusually soft. ‘Is it purely logic, or does your intuition play a role?’ Sarah smiled, but her expression was serious. ‘It’s a mix,’ she said. ‘You have to balance your head and your heart. Judgment isn’t just about the facts; it’s about understanding people and understanding the bigger picture.’ Eleanor nodded, feeling a new understanding wash over her. The next morning, she made her decision. The verdict was a rare one in her career—she overturned the original judgment and ordered a retrial, not based on a technicality, but on the deeper sense that justice had not been served the first time. In the weeks that followed, Eleanor’s decision was praised by many, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that judgment wasn’t just about laws and procedures—it was about knowing when to trust your own sense of right and wrong. Her judgment had changed, and in doing so, she had grown as a person, not just a judge.
Related Words
