justify

[ juhs-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, jus·ti·fied, jus·ti·fy·ing.

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)

, jus·ti·fied, jus·ti·fy·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈjustiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• jus·ti·fi·er noun
• jus·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
• pre·jus·ti·fy verb (used with object) prejustified prejustifying
• re·jus·ti·fy verb (used with object) rejustified rejustifying

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

But as she begins to form an emotional attachment to her newfound family at work, Madeline is forced to wrestle with the question: Does the end always justify the means?

From Los Angeles Times

And that fear seemed to be justified by the Chernobyl disaster, which spread radioactive contamination across Europe in early 1986.

From BBC

In a statement, Timothy Herbert, the chief of police in the city of Brentwood in eastern Contra Costa County, defended the officer handling the dog that day, saying his actions were justified.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s tough to justify violating people’s rights to engage them in involuntary treatments when voluntary treatments are inaccessible.

From Salon

We asked the smuggler how he can justify his illegal business which endangers the lives of Afghans, while charging them thousands of dollars.

From BBC

Related Words

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