justify
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to show (an act, claim, statement, etc.) to be just or right.
The end does not always justify the means.
-
to defend or uphold as warranted or well-grounded.
Don't try to justify his rudeness.
- Synonyms:
- excuse
-
Printing.
-
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.
-
to level and square (a strike).
-
verb (used without object)
-
Law.
-
to show a satisfactory reason or excuse for something done.
-
to qualify as bail or surety.
-
-
Printing. (of a line of type) to fit exactly into a desired length.
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
-
to show good reason in court for (some action taken)
-
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
-
-
Protestant theol to account or declare righteous by the imputation of Christ's merits to the sinner
-
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
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
prejustifyverb (used with object)
-
rejustifyverb (used with object)
-
justifiernoun
-
justifyinglyadverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has justifiedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have justifiedperfect
-
has been justifyingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is justifyingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
are justifyingprogressive
-
am justifyingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been justifyingperfect progressive
-
justifiessingular 3rd person
-
justifyingparticiple
Past
-
had justifiedperfect
-
had been justifyingperfect progressive
-
was justifyingprogressive singular
-
were justifyingprogressive plural
-
justifiedparticiple
-
justifiedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of justify
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
Explanation
To justify is to make excuses for one's actions, like the dieter who has to justify the few tiny pieces of chocolate she's sneaked in between salads. Anyone who has ever made excuses for his or her actions knows the meaning of justify, like the bank robber who justifies his latest heist by claiming he needs the bank's money to support his charitable foundation. He might think he's got a good reason for holding up the bank, but he's going to have a hard time convincing the bank's owner of his reason, or justification. To justify a line of text is to space it so that it lines up with the margin.
Vocabulary lists containing justify
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
You Be the Judge: Jud, Jur, Jus
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But if multiple visits reveal unrelated faults within an aging cistern, additional charges become easier to justify.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
Morgan Stanley’s projection of SpaceX’s revenue in 2040, in an analysis shared with investors to justify its large valuation ahead of its expected IPO this week.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
After the dismal winter, the retained management structure needed any sort of victory to begin to justify the faith that has been shown in them.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
Attorneys for Grossman and Erickson argued that, although the incident was tragic, there was no evidence that their clients were racing or impaired that would justify an award of hundreds of millions of dollars.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
"Right. It'll be good for him too," I said, still trying to justify Needles coming with us.
From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
