View synonyms for justify

justify

[ juhs-tuh-fahy ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

justified, justifying.

to show (an act, claim, statement, etc.) to be just or right:
The end does not always justify the means.
Synonyms: validate, vindicate
to defend or uphold as warranted or well-grounded:
Don't try to justify his rudeness.
Synonyms: excuse
Theology. to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit
Printing.
1. to make (a line of type) a desired length by spacing the words and letters, especially so that full lines in a column have even margins both on the left and on the right.
2. to level and square (a strike).

verb (used without object)

justified, justifying.

Law.
1. to show a satisfactory reason or excuse for something done.
2. to qualify as bail or surety.
Printing. (of a line of type) to fit exactly into a desired length.

justify

/ ˈdʒʌstɪˌfaɪ /

verb

often passive to prove or see to be just or valid; vindicate
he was certainly justified in taking the money
to show to be reasonable; warrant or substantiate
his behaviour justifies our suspicion
to declare or show to be free from blame or guilt; absolve
law
1. to show good reason in court for (some action taken)
2. to show adequate grounds for doing (that with which a person is charged)
  to justify a libel
also intr printing computing to adjust the spaces between words in (a line of type or data) so that it is of the required length or (of a line of type or data) to fit exactly
1. Protestant theol to account or declare righteous by the imputation of Christ's merits to the sinner
2. RC theol to change from sinfulness to righteousness by the transforming effects of grace
also intr law to prove (a person) to have sufficient means to act as surety, etc, or (of a person) to qualify to provide bail or surety

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Derived Forms

ˈjustiˌfier, noun

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Other Words From

jus·ti·fi·er noun
jus·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
pre·jus·ti·fy verb (used with object) prejustified prejustifying
re·jus·ti·fy verb (used with object) rejustified rejustifying

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Word History and Origins

Origin of justify¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English justifien, from Old French justifier, from Late Latin jūstificāre, equivalent to Latin jūsti- (combining form of jūstus just ¹ ) + -ficāre -fy

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Word History and Origins

Origin of justify¹

C14: from Old French justifier, from Latin justificāre, from jūstus just + facere to make

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