justify

verb

JUS-ti-fy/ˈd͡ʒʌstɪfaɪ/

8 meanings of justify

1
verbtransitive
To give a good reason for something you did, chose, or believe.
Like telling your teacher why your homework is late.
She had to justify her spending to her parents.
He tried to justify his rude comment.
Similarexplain, defend, rationalize
Note
2
verbtransitive
To be a good enough reason for something.
Like when a real problem makes spending extra money worth it.
The low price does not justify such poor quality.
Does the danger really justify the cost?
Similarwarrant, merit, excuse
Note
3
verbreflexivetransitive
To explain your actions so people see you were right.
Like defending yourself when someone says you did wrong.
He kept trying to justify himself after the argument.
You don't need to justify your choice to anyone.
Similarexplain, defend
Note
4
verbtransitive
To space out lines of text so both edges line up evenly.
Like lining up books on a shelf so both ends are even.
You can justify the text to make the page look neat.
She justified the paragraph so both sides were straight.
Similaralign
Note
5
verbtransitive
To declare that someone is free from blame or sin.
Like a judge declaring a person innocent and setting them free.
The priest taught that grace alone can justify a sinner.
They believed faith would justify them before God.
Similarabsolve, acquit, exonerate
Oppositecondemn
Note
6
verbtransitive
To show that something is true or correct.
Like proof showing that what you said was right all along.
The test results justify our earlier guess.
Later events justified his warning.
Similarconfirm, vindicate, substantiate, validate
Oppositedisprove, refute
Note
7
verbtransitive
To prove in court that someone had a lawful reason for what they did.
Like proving in court that a person had a good legal reason for breaking a window.
The lawyer worked to justify his client's actions.
Evidence at trial justified the officer who fired the shot.
Similarexonerate, vindicate, excuse
Note
8
verbintransitive
To swear in court that you own enough property to act as a guarantee for someone.
Like proving you have enough money in the bank before you promise to pay for someone.
Before posting bail, each backer had to justify in front of the judge.
She justified by swearing that she owned the farm outright.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin words meaning "just" and "make," so it first meant "make just." English got it through Old French.