justify
verb
jus·ti·fy ˈjə-stə-ˌfī 
justified; justifying
transitive verb
1
a
: to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
trying to justify his selfish behavior
I shouldn't have to justify myself to them.
justify the ways of God to man
John Milton
John Milton b(1)
: to show to have had a sufficient legal reason
(2)
: to qualify (oneself) as a surety (see surety sense 3) by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property
2
a
: to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation
God justifies with his forgiveness and grace the man who comes to him Will Herberg
Will Herberg b
archaic : to administer justice to
c
archaic : absolve
3
a
: to space (lines of text) so that the lines come out even at the margin
b
: to make even by spacing lines of text
justified margins
intransitive verb
1
a
: to show a sufficient lawful reason for an act done
b
: to qualify as bail or surety
the surety justified on the bail bond
2
: to justify lines of text
justifier
ˈjə-stə-ˌfī(-ə)r
noun 
Synonyms
- excuse
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He tried to justify his behavior by saying that he was being pressured unfairly by his boss. The fact that we are at war does not justify treating innocent people as criminals.
Recent Examples on the Web Can anybody justify not voting Aaron Judge for MVP? Joe Noga, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2022 It has been shown to reduce the risk of severe disease in people who do not need to be hospitalized, but who are at high risk for complications of COVID (a history of a heart attack is sufficient reason to justify the use of Paxlovid). Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 1 Sep. 2022 The cost of carbon has been used in the past to justify tougher limits on carbon emissions and more spending on climate solutions, like transitioning to renewable energy and natural flood protection. CBS News, 1 Sep. 2022 The cameras on the upcoming iPhone Pro models are rumored to be upgraded to possibly justify the price increase, among other enhancements. Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 1 Sep. 2022 Authoritarian governments justify censorship on the basis that some ideas are too disruptive or harmful to be heard. Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 But how much does the probability that Musk can free himself justify the gulf between Twitter’s current price and the $50-plus purchase that most experts deem most likely? Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2022 This approach could justify buying both an inexpensive, lightweight vacuum to keep in your car as well as a larger garage unit or shop vac. Collin Morgan And Jon Langston, Car and Driver, 26 Aug. 2022 In addition, Ludwig said, high staff turnover doesn't justify missing court deadlines. Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2022 See More
Joe Noga, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2022 It has been shown to reduce the risk of severe disease in people who do not need to be hospitalized, but who are at high risk for complications of COVID (a history of a heart attack is sufficient reason to justify the use of Paxlovid). Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 1 Sep. 2022 The cost of carbon has been used in the past to justify tougher limits on carbon emissions and more spending on climate solutions, like transitioning to renewable energy and natural flood protection. CBS News, 1 Sep. 2022 The cameras on the upcoming iPhone Pro models are rumored to be upgraded to possibly justify the price increase, among other enhancements. Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 1 Sep. 2022 Authoritarian governments justify censorship on the basis that some ideas are too disruptive or harmful to be heard. Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 But how much does the probability that Musk can free himself justify the gulf between Twitter’s current price and the $50-plus purchase that most experts deem most likely? Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2022 This approach could justify buying both an inexpensive, lightweight vacuum to keep in your car as well as a larger garage unit or shop vac. Collin Morgan And Jon Langston, Car and Driver, 26 Aug. 2022 In addition, Ludwig said, high staff turnover doesn't justify missing court deadlines. Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English justifien, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French justifier, from Late Latin justificare, from Latin justus — see just entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing justify
Kids Definition
justify
verb
jus·ti·fy ˈjəs-tə-ˌfī
justified; justifying
: to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
How can you justify your actions?
Legal Definition
justify
verb
jus·ti·fy ˈjəs-tə-ˌfī
justified; justifying
transitive verb
1
: to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
does not justify a denial of bail
2
: to show to have had a legally sufficient reason or cause
a defendant may not set up his own standard of conduct to justify or excuse himself State v. Doss, 568 P.2d 1054 (1977)
State v. Doss, 568 P.2d 1054 (1977)intransitive verb
1
: to show a legally sufficient reason for an act
2
: to swear an oath as to the ownership of sufficient property
they shall justify in an amount no less than $200 Oregon Revised Statutes
Oregon Revised Statutes also : to qualify as a surety by swearing such an oath
the defendants sought to justify as bail State v. Blaisdell, 253 A.2d 341 (1969)
State v. Blaisdell, 253 A.2d 341 (1969) justifications
noun
as in excuses
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame offered a weak justification for why he was so late Synonyms & Similar Words
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- excuses
- reasons
- apologies
- alibis
- rationales
- rationalizations
- pleas
- defenses
- pretexts
- vindications
- pretenses
- cop-outs
- pretences
- confessions
- outs
- acknowledgments
- atonements
- colors
- whitewashes
- acknowledgements
- guises
- extenuations
- palliations