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justify Definition

jus·tify (jus′tə fī′)

transitive verb -·fied′, -·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

justify Related Forms
jus′·ti·fi′er noun
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.

justify Usage Examples

Object

  • refusal: In fact, this is one of those unusual circumstances that would justify a refusal with that object in mind.
  • hype: Without having a... u-rate-it.com: Is the hype justified?
  • expenditure: We thought hard about whether a new look justified the expenditure.
  • expense: In either case, the evolutionary benefits don't justify the expense of the software.
  • sinner: When God justifies the sinner, He does not make him upright, He simple declares him to be righteous when he is not.
  • conclusion: The validity: are the conclusions justified by the description of the methodology and the findings?

Preposition: on

  • ground: All the contents must be justified on the grounds of ` fitness for purpose ' .
  • basis: Targets for affordable housing are justified on the basis of the 1999 Housing Needs Survey 8.

Subject

  • faith: Norman Shepherdâs concern is to stress that we are only justified by an obedient faith.
  • grace: Many, who know they are justified by grace, yet seek to be sanctified by works.

Adjective complement

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

Modifying Another Word

  • objectively: The refusal of a request to work beyond 65 must be objectively justified by the Employer.
  • morally: This means war in the interests of National interest is morally justified.
  • 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.
  • whatever: The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was.

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.
  • accord: West Mercia wanted to introduce more cameras along the A44 but none could be justified according to the Government's casualty criteria.

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 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