justify
Verb
Verb Forms: justified, justifying, justifies
- To show or prove to be right or reasonable.
- show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
- show to be right by providing justification or proof
- defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
- let off the hook
- adjust the spaces between words
- "justify the margins"
- To provide an acceptable explanation for.
- To be a good, acceptable reason for; warrant.
- To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.
- To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin.
- To give reasons for one’s actions; to make an argument to prove that one is in the right.
- To prove; to ratify; to confirm.
- To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason for an act that has been made the subject of a charge or accusation.
- To qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property.
Examples
- He tried to ’JUSTIFY’ his unusual word choice, but the dictionary ruled it invalid.
- How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?
- Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.
- Paying too much for car insurance is not justified.
- She felt no need to justify herself for deciding not to invite him.
- The text will look better justified.
Origin / Etymology
From Middle English justifien, from Old French justifier, from Late Latin justificare (“make just”), from Latin justus, iustus (“just”) + ficare (“make”), from facere, equivalent to just + -ify.
Synonyms
absolve, apologise, apologize, excuse, free, rationalise, rationalize, vindicate, warrant
Antonyms
Scrabble Score: 20
justify: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordjustify: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
justify: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary