Definitions for justifyˈdʒʌs təˌfaɪ

jus•ti•fyˈdʒʌs təˌfaɪ(v.)-fied, -fy•ing.

(v.t.)to show or prove to be just, right, or reasonable:
The pleasure we get from these paintings justifies their high cost.
to defend or uphold as warranted or well-grounded:
Don't try to justify his rudeness.
to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit.
Category: Religion
to space out words or characters in (one or more lines of type), esp. to produce an even margin.
Category: Printing
(v.i.)to show that what was done was legally warranted. to qualify as bail or surety.
Category: Law
(of a line of type) to fit exactly into a desired length.
Category: Printing

1250–1300; ME < OF justifier < LL jūstificāre= L jūsti-, comb. form of jūstusjust1+-ficāre -fy

jus′ti•fi`er(n.)

justify, warrant(verb)
show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
"The emergency does not warrant all of us buying guns"; "The end justifies the means"
justify, vindicate(verb)
show to be right by providing justification or proof
"vindicate a claim"
apologize, apologise, excuse, justify, rationalize, rationalise(verb)
defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
"rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"
absolve, justify, free(verb)
let off the hook
"I absolve you from this responsibility"
justify(verb)
adjust the spaces between words
"justify the margins"

justify(verb)ˈdʒʌs təˌfaɪ
to give a good reason for
Does her desperation justify her killing someone?

justify(Verb)
To provide an acceptable explanation for.
justify(Verb)
To be a good, acceptable reason for; warrant.
Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.
justify(Verb)
To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.
The text will look better justified.
justify(Verb)
To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin

Origin: From justificare, from justus, iustus, + ficare, from facere.

Justify(adj)
to prove or show to be just; to vindicate; to maintain or defend as conformable to law, right, justice, propriety, or duty
Justify(adj)
to pronounce free from guilt or blame; to declare or prove to have done that which is just, right, proper, etc.; to absolve; to exonerate; to clear
Justify(adj)
to treat as if righteous and just; to pardon; to exculpate; to absolve
Justify(adj)
to prove; to ratify; to confirm
Justify(adj)
to make even or true, as lines of type, by proper spacing; to adjust, as type. See Justification, 4
Justify(verb)
to form an even surface or true line with something else; to fit exactly
Justify(verb)
to take oath to the ownership of property sufficient to qualify one's self as bail or surety

Translations for justify

to prove or show (a person, action, opinion etc) to be just, right, desirable or reasonable

How can the government justify the spending of millions of pounds on weapons when there is so much poverty in the country?

regverdig, verdedig, goedpraat, wettig, verantwoord, bewysAfrikaans
يُبَرِّر، يُسَوِّغArabic
доказвамBulgarian
justificarPortuguese (BR)
ospravedlnitCzech
rechtfertigenGerman
retfærdiggøreDanish
δικαιολογώ, δικαιώνωGreek
justificarSpanish
põhjendamaEstonian
توجیه کردن؛ موجه نشان دادنFarsi
perustellaFinnish
justifierFrench
לְהַצדִיקHebrew
उचित ठहरानाHindi
opravdatiCroatian
igazolHungarian
membuktikan kebenaranIndonesian
réttlætaIcelandic
giustificareItalian
正当化するJapanese
적법성의 근거를 보이다Korean
pateisintiLithuanian
attaisnotLatvian
memberikan alasan yang kukuhMalay
rechtvaardigenDutch
forsvare, rettferdiggjøreNorwegian
usprawiedliwiaćPolish
توجیه کردن؛ موجه نشان دادنPersian
عادلانه حق ثابتول، سم ښودل دحق په توګه څرګندول، له حق څخه دفاع كول: له غش څخه پاك ښوول تبرئه كولPashto
justificarPortuguese
a explicaRomanian
объяснятьRussian
opodstatniť, oprávniť, ospravedlniťSlovak
utemeljitiSlovenian
opravdatiSerbian
försvara, rättfärdigaSwedish
แสดงให้เห็นถึงThai
haklı göstermek/çıkarmakTurkish
證明...是對的，正當的或合理的Chinese (Trad.)
підтверджуватиUkrainian
درست برحق ثابت کرناUrdu
bào chữaVietnamese
证明...是正当的Chinese (Simp.)