Meaning & Definition of Justify in English
English⟶
Justify
/ʤəstəfaɪ/
verb
1. Show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
- "The emergency does not warrant all of us buying guns"
- "The end justifies the means"
synonym:
- justify,
- warrant
2. Show to be right by providing justification or proof
- "Vindicate a claim"
synonym:
- justify,
- vindicate
3. Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
- "Rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"
- "He rationalized his lack of success"
synonym:
- apologize,
- apologise,
- excuse,
- justify,
- rationalize,
- rationalise
4. Let off the hook
- "I absolve you from this responsibility"
synonym:
- absolve,
- justify,
- free
5. Adjust the spaces between words
- "Justify the margins"
synonym:
- justify
Examples of using
If you do like this, you won't justify your friends' trust.
The end cannot justify the means, for the simple and obvious reason that the means employed determine the nature of the ends produced.
How can you justify your claim?