street justice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

No, by definition it is extrajudicial, meaning it occurs outside the formal legal system. Actions taken as 'street justice' (assault, vandalism, etc.) are themselves crimes.

They are very close synonyms. 'Vigilantism' often implies an organized or semi-organized group, while 'street justice' can refer to actions by a single person or a spontaneous mob. 'Street justice' often emphasises the immediate, physical nature of the punishment.

In the strict legal and ethical sense, no, as it violates the principle of rule of law. However, in fiction or colloquial speech, it can be portrayed sympathetically when official systems are portrayed as utterly corrupt or ineffective, making the vigilante a 'hero'.

No, this is not a standard verb. While creatively possible in very informal speech (e.g., "They street-justiced him"), the standard expressions are 'to mete out/administer street justice to someone' or 'to take street justice into one's own hands.'

Informal, immediate, and often violent punishment or retribution administered by civilians or a mob outside the formal legal system.

Street justice is usually colloquial, informal, often journalistic/dramatic. can be used with a critical, neutral, or approving tone depending on context. in register.

Street justice: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstriːt ˈdʒʌs.tɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrit ˈdʒʌs.tɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.