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Justify

//ˈd͡ʒʌstɪfaɪ// verb

Definitions

Verb

1
To provide an acceptable explanation for. transitive
"How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?"
2
adjust the spaces between words wordnet
3
To be a good reason behind a normally-unacceptable action; to warrant. transitive
"Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night."
4
show to be right by providing justification or proof wordnet
5
To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned. transitive
"The text will look better justified."

Show 6 more definitions

6
(used of God) declare innocent; absolve from the penalty of sin wordnet
7
To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin. transitive
"I cannot justify whom the law condemns."
8
To give reasons for one’s actions; to make an argument to prove that one is in the right. reflexive
"She felt no need to justify herself for deciding not to invite him."
9
To prove; to ratify; to confirm. transitive
"She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been, By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all; When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge She is thy very princess."
10
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.
11
To qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property.
"J'USTIFYING BAIL, practice, is the production of bail in court, who there justify' themselves against the exception of the plaintiff."

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.

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