Justify

Quick meaning: Justify is a verb meaning (transitive) To provide an acceptable explanation for.

Meaning

(transitive) To provide an acceptable explanation for.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To be a good reason behind a normally-unacceptable action; to warrant.
2. (transitive) To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin.
3. (reflexive) To give reasons for one’s actions; to make an argument to prove that one is in the right.
4. (transitive) To prove; to ratify; to confirm.
5. (law) 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.
6. (law) To qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property.
7. (transitive, typography) To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.

Example Sentences

The text will look better justified.

Paying too much for car insurance is not justified.

Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.

How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?

Word Forms

• justifies
• justifying
• justified
• justifie

Synonyms for justify

Depending on context, synonyms include vindicate, free, absolve, excuse, warrant, rationalize.

Antonyms for justify

Common opposites include fault.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include rationalize, warrant, excuse, vindicate, apologize, absolve.

Related Dictionary Tools