Justify Definition

jŭstə-fī
justified, justifies, justifying
verb
justified, justifies, justifying
To show to be just, right, or in accord with reason; vindicate.
Webster's New World
To show an adequate reason for something done.
Webster's New World
To free (a human) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin. Used of God.
American Heritage
To supply good or lawful grounds for; warrant.
Webster's New World
To prove qualified as surety.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:

Origin of Justify

  • Middle English justifien from Old French justifier from Late Latin iūstificāre from Latin to act justly toward iūstus just just1 -ficāre -fy

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin justificare (“make just”), from justus, iustus (“just”), + to make, from facere.

    From Wiktionary

  • just +‎ -ify

    From Wiktionary

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to justify using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

Words Ending With

Unscrambles

justify