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

The families sued Jones after he falsely claimed that the shooting was a false flag to justify the confiscation of Americans' firearms.

From Salon

In their hands it became a weapon to justify their agendas — or at least a useful tool to expand their movements.

From Salon

HRW’s report - based on interviews with displaced Palestinians, analysis of Israeli evacuation orders, satellite imagery showing destruction of buildings, and videos and photos of strikes - concludes that there is no plausible imperative military reason to justify the displacement of nearly all of Gaza’s population and that the other conditions for it be lawful have also not been met.

From BBC

Act leader Seymour - who is also New Zealand's associate justice minister - argues that because the principles have never been properly defined legally, the courts "have been able to develop principles that have been used to justify actions that are contrary to the principle of equal rights".

From BBC

Mueller’s investigation found a slate of communications between Trump campaign officials and Russian agents, but not enough to justify criminal charges against Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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