justify
verb (used with object)
to show (an act, claim, statement, etc.) to be just or right.
was justifying
-
past progressiveof justify.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The incident happened part way through a prime-time interview on Wednesday, when Mr Macron was justifying his reasons for lifting the pension age.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2023
I was always looking for ways that she was justifying what happened to herself, and there’s one quote from her lawyer’s opening argument in her trial: “Failure is not a crime.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2022
Soon Talon Anvil was justifying nearly every strike as defensive.
From New York Times ● Dec. 12, 2021
I don’t know what was in his mind, maybe it was justifying himself: ‘Oh, I said you were great because maybe before I said something else.’
From The Guardian ● Aug. 18, 2017
Although the hunter found sleep soon, Will, who did not need it so badly, lay awake long and he was interested in watching Selim, who was justifying his master's praise.
From The Great Sioux Trail A Story of Mountain and Plain by Charles L. (Charles Lewis) Wrenn
