justify

[juhs-tuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

justified, justifying 

1. to show (an act, claim, statement, etc.) to be just or right.

   The end does not always justify the means.

   Synonyms: validate, vindicate

2. to defend or uphold as warranted or well-grounded.

   Don't try to justify his rudeness.

   Synonyms: excuse

3. Theology.,  to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit

4. Printing.

   1. to make (a line of type) a desired length by spacing the words and letters, especially so that full lines in a column have even margins both on the left and on the right.

   2. to level and square (a strike).

verb (used without object)

justified, justifying 

1. Law.

   1. to show a satisfactory reason or excuse for something done.

   2. to qualify as bail or surety.

2. Printing.,  (of a line of type) to fit exactly into a desired length.

justify

/ ˈdʒʌstɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (often passive) to prove or see to be just or valid; vindicate

   he was certainly justified in taking the money

2. to show to be reasonable; warrant or substantiate

   his behaviour justifies our suspicion

3. to declare or show to be free from blame or guilt; absolve

4. law

   1. to show good reason in court for (some action taken)

   2. to show adequate grounds for doing (that with which a person is charged)

      to justify a libel

5. (also intr) printing computing to adjust the spaces between words in (a line of type or data) so that it is of the required length or (of a line of type or data) to fit exactly

6. 1. Protestant theol to account or declare righteous by the imputation of Christ's merits to the sinner

   2. RC theol to change from sinfulness to righteousness by the transforming effects of grace

7. (also intr) law to prove (a person) to have sufficient means to act as surety, etc, or (of a person) to qualify to provide bail or surety

Other Word Forms

• justifier noun
• justifyingly adverb
• prejustify verb (used with object)
• rejustify verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of justify¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English justifien, from Old French justifier, from Late Latin jūstificāre, equivalent to Latin jūsti- (combining form of jūstus just ¹ ) + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of justify¹

C14: from Old French justifier, from Latin justificāre, from jūstus _just + facere to make

Example Sentences

And third, the Supreme Court has frowned on recent presidents who relied on old laws to justify bold, new, costly regulations.

From Los Angeles Times

In many cases, oil companies asked to flare indefinitely or didn’t justify why they needed to flare, leaving blank the section of the application asking why the exemption was needed.

From Salon

Ms O'Donnell's early retirement, aged 59, had been justified on the grounds of "efficiency" under the restructuring plan.

From BBC

“Kennedy is using evidence that refutes his own position to justify dismantling tools we’ll desperately need when the next pandemic arrives.”

From Los Angeles Times

Israel has regularly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide and says they are justified as a means of self-defence.

From BBC

Related Words

• advocate 
• condone 
• confirm 
• countenance 
• defend 
• explain 
• favor 
• maintain 
• rationalize 
• support 
• sustain 
• uphold 
• validate 
• vindicate 
• warrant