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

The industry these days, he thinks, demands every narrative choice be justified with substantial meaning.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That reflected investors’ views that policymakers would need more evidence of a weakening labor market to justify a cut.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While officials agreed that weakening labor-market data justified October’s cut, they couldn’t agree on what comes next.

Read more on Barron's

While officials agreed that weakening labor-market data justified October’s cut, they couldn’t agree on what comes next.

Read more on Barron's

However, investors and analysts are still anxious about whether the high stock prices are justified for all the different companies that are in the AI race.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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