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

Agencies need to be able to quickly justify why performance has changed and what steps can be taken to address these fluctuations — positive or negative.

From Search Engine Watch

Attorney Frank Crivelli, who said he negotiated contracts on behalf of police unions in at least 40 towns, said the dangers and challenges of police work justify the price in New Jersey.

From ProPublica

I planned to explore questions about journalistic ethics and whether the ends of getting a scoop that might change history and save lives can ever justify lying to a source.

From ProPublica

Why America is 'flying blind' to the coronavirus mutations racing across the globeStates cannot point to hard data to justify aggressive measures to contain the spread of dangerous mutations.

From Washington Post

GameStop’s share price, which approached $500 at one point, had clearly become untethered from the financial metrics that traditionally justify rising prices.

From Washington Post

Does the sending of the message “justify” the tragedy that caused it?

From The Daily Beast

No more allowing people to justify their bigotry by spouting a cherry-picked Bible verse.

From The Daily Beast

This story was used by some third-century North African Christians to justify the practice of women performing baptisms.

From The Daily Beast

Like many other Pakistani Taliban, Jamal has his own horror stories to tell, which he believes can justify any bloody retribution.

From The Daily Beast

With women put in front of the public to justify staying with bad men, we see these justifications in full bloom.

From The Daily Beast

But this is quite enough to justify the inconsiderable expense which the experiment I urge would involve.

From Project Gutenberg

He may be a lessee, agent, or having such possession and control as would justify him in thus acting.

From Project Gutenberg

Put me in remembrance, and let us plead together: tell if thou hast any thing to justify thyself.

From Project Gutenberg

Does the experience of the last ten years justify the country in placing confidence, on such a point, in a Whig Ministry?

From Project Gutenberg

Should the alliance between the two professions be questioned, the following case will justify our assertion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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