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justify definition

jus·tify (jus′tə fī′)

transitive verb justified -·fied′, justifying -·fy′·ing

  1. to show to be just, right, or in accord with reason; vindicate
  2. to supply good or lawful grounds for; warrant
  3. Christian Theol. to free from blame; declare guiltless; absolve
  4. Printing to adjust (printed lines) by spacing so that the lines will be of the correct length

Etymology: ME justifien < OFr justifier < LL (chiefly Ec.) justificare, to act justly toward, justify < L justus, just + -ficare < facere, to do

intransitive verb

  1. Law
    1. to show an adequate reason for something done
    2. to prove qualified as surety
  2. Printing to fit; be in line or flush: said as of printed lines

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

justify Synonyms

justify

v.

  1. To vindicate

    absolve, acquit, clear; see excuse.

  2. To give reasons for

    plead, argue for, defend, support, apologize for, palliate, excuse, explain, sustain, maintain, advocate, brief, answer for, be answerable for, put in a plea for, stand up for, make allowances, rationalize, exculpate, speak in favor of, favor, champion, make a plea, acquit oneself of, show sufficient grounds for, countenance, do justice to, condone, pardon, make good, confirm, rebut, show cause; see also defend 3, explain.

    Antonyms convict*, condemn*, implicate. *

  3. To prove by the event

    warrant, verify, bear out; see prove.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

justify Usage Examples

Object

  • refusal: In fact, this is one of those unusual circumstances that would justify a refusal with that object in mind.

Adjective complement

  • gruesome: If you become offended by anything, please read An Attempt to Justify Gruesome Bible Passages.

Modifying Another Word

  • amply: These pluses we feel amply justify the necessary increase of a pound or two on the ticket price.

Used with why or when

  • why: They could justify why certain streets are worth more than others.

Present participle complement

  • refuse: She found that the objections of the younger child were insufficient to justify refusing to make an order for her return.

Preposition: in

  • circumstance: A consideration of any unusual degree of collateral intrusion and why that intrusion is justified in the circumstances.

Preposition: by

  • faith: Norman Shepherdâs concern is to stress that we are only justified by an obedient faith.
justify usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

justify quotes

The end cannot justify the means, for the simple and obvious reason that the means employed determine the nature of the ends produced.

-Huxley, Aldous Leonard

justify quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"justify." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/justify>

APA Style

justify. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/justify

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