What does rejudge mean?
Rejudge means to judge again or reconsider a decision, judgment, or disputed case. Its clearest use is legal: a court may rejudge a case after an appeal, a procedural issue, or the discovery of evidence that could affect the earlier outcome. In nonlegal contexts, the word can describe an authoritative body reconsidering a decision, often with the implication that the matter will be assessed afresh rather than merely defended. The word is formal and relatively uncommon, so ordinary situations are more naturally described with verbs such as reconsider, reassess, or review. Rejudge should not be confused with prejudge, which means to form a judgment before examining the relevant evidence. The prefix re- emphasizes a second act of judging, making the word especially apt for decisions that carry formal consequences.
verbTo judge again, especially to reconsider a previous decision after new evidence or a formal appeal.
- To judge again, especially a legal case or decision after new evidence or an appeal.
- To reconsider or reassess a judgment, decision, or disputed matter.
"The court agreed to rejudge the case after receiving substantial new evidence."
"The appellate court will rejudge the case in light of the newly discovered evidence."
"Rather than dismiss the criticism, the committee agreed to rejudge the proposal on its merits."
To rejudge is not simply to disagree: it is to examine the matter again with the authority to decide it anew.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rejudge come from?
Rejudge is formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with judge. Judge comes through Old French juge from Latin iudicare, “to judge or pronounce judgment.” Related English forms include judicial, concerning courts or legal judgments, and judicious, meaning marked by balanced judgment or careful consideration. The prefixed form naturally developed to express the act of judging a matter a second time.
Related word forms
How rejudge is actually used
Relatively uncommon and formal. It is especially associated with legal proceedings but can be used more generally when a decision or judgment is being reconsidered.
Easily confused with rejudge
Rejudge means to judge a matter again, whereas prejudge means to form an opinion about it before the relevant evidence or decision is available.