illjudged

Ill-judged is an adjective used to describe actions, remarks, decisions, or policies that are considered to be poorly judged or inappropriate in light of available information or potential consequences. It signals a lack of careful assessment rather than malicious intent and can apply to individuals, organizations, or governments as well as to specific statements or proposals.

Etymology and spelling: The term combines ill- with judged, forming a compound modifier. In modern standard English, the preferred form is ill-judged when directly modifying a noun, as in an ill-judged remark. In predicative position after a linking verb, it is also used, e.g., the remark was ill judged, though many editors favor the hyphenated form to avoid ambiguity. Variants such as ill judged or illjudged exist but are less common and often discouraged in formal writing.

Usage notes: Ill-judged is a formal evaluative term frequently found in journalism, criticism, and analytical writing. It conveys criticism of judgment rather than intent and is often balanced with more neutral or precise alternatives such as ill-advised, ill-considered, poorly judged, or misguided. The nuance emphasizes the perceived miscalculation or imprudence rather than outright error or malice. See also ill-advised and ill-considered for related evaluative terms.