Justify Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🔍

Add to dictionary

justify

[ˈdʒʌstɪˌfaɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

legal

To show or prove to be right or reasonable.

Synonyms

substantiate, support, validate, vindicate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
justify	Used when someone needs to explain or provide reasons for their actions or decisions, often to show they were reasonable or necessary. She had to justify her decision to leave the company. He couldn't justify spending so much money on a car.
vindicate	Used when clearing someone of blame, suspicion or doubt by providing justification or proof. This word often carries a sense of righting a wrong. The new evidence helped to vindicate the wrongly accused man. She felt vindicated after the investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing.
validate	Used when confirming the accuracy or truth of something, often in technical, academic, or official contexts. The findings need to be validated by further experiments. She sought validation for her innovative approach.
substantiate	Applied when providing evidence or proof to support a claim or argument, often in formal or academic contexts. The scientist needed to substantiate her theory with experimental data. Can you substantiate your allegations with concrete facts?
support	Used to indicate backing up someone or something, offering help or evidence. This word can apply in various situations from emotional support to providing evidence. He supported his argument with data from the research. She supported her friend during tough times.

Examples of usage

His actions were justified by his belief in self-defense.
The company tried to justify the price increase with rising production costs.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

general

To be a good reason for something.

Synonyms

merit, validate, warrant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
justify	To show or prove that an action or decision is right or reasonable, often used in discussions, debates, or formal analyses. She tried to justify her absence by giving a detailed explanation We need to justify the expenses for the new project
warrant	To justify or necessitate a certain course of action; often used to indicate that something is necessary or appropriate, sometimes with a formal or urgent tone. The current situation may warrant emergency measures His behavior warrants a closer look by the authorities
merit	To be deserving of a reward, praise, or consideration, typically used when talking about achievements, qualities, or aspects that are valuable. His dedication to the project merits recognition The proposal has enough merit to be considered seriously
validate	To confirm or support the truth or value of something, often used in scientific, administrative, or emotional contexts. We need to validate these results before publishing the report Her feelings were validated when her friends expressed similar experiences

Examples of usage

The strong sales figures justify the decision to expand the business.
Her hard work and dedication justify her promotion to manager.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

typography

The spacing of words and letters in a line of text so that it is aligned on both the left and right margins.

Synonyms

align, even, neaten, rationalize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
justify	This word can also mean to align text in a document so that it fits neatly against both the left and right margins. It is primarily used in typography and word processing. Justify the text in the document to make it look professional. The paragraph was fully justified, making it easier to read.
align	This word is used when talking about positioning objects, ideas, or strategies in a straight line or in agreement. It's often used in both physical and abstract contexts. Make sure all the text boxes are aligned properly. Their strategies are aligned with the company's goals.
even	This word is used when describing something that is flat, balanced, or without irregularities. It can refer to both physical objects and numerical values. She swept the floor to make it even. They divided the profits in an even manner.
rationalize	This word is often used when explaining or justifying actions or decisions with logical reasoning, especially in contexts where the actual reasons might be less logical. It can sometimes have a negative connotation, implying self-deception or making excuses. He tried to rationalize his unnecessary purchases. She felt the need to rationalize why she was late.
neaten	This word is used when tidying up or making something look clean and orderly. It's commonly used in informal or everyday situations. She decided to neaten her room before guests arrived. He spent the afternoon neatening his workspace.

Examples of usage

The designer adjusted the justify settings to create a clean and professional look for the document.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

In ethics, to justify an action often involves proving it aligns with moral standards.
Philosophers debate the justification of actions, leading to moral theories such as utilitarianism and deontology.

Psychology

Cognitive dissonance theory explains how people justify their actions to maintain consistency in beliefs and behaviors.
Justification can occur unconsciously, as individuals often find reasons to support decisions they have already made.

Legal Context

In law, to justify an action can mean providing a valid reason for a certain behavior or ruling in a court case.
Self-defense is an example where individuals may justify their actions under specific circumstances to avoid punishment.

Literature

Characters in novels frequently seek to justify their actions, allowing readers to explore themes of morality and consequence.
In persuasive writing, justifications are essential to convince audiences by providing logical arguments and evidence.

Origin of 'justify'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'justificare,' where 'justus' means 'just' or 'fair' and 'facere' means 'to make.'
It originally referred to making something just or right, evolving to encompass explanations and reasons.

The word 'justify' originated from the Latin word 'justificare', which is a combination of 'justus' meaning 'just' or 'right' and 'facere' meaning 'to make'. The concept of justification has been present in various fields such as philosophy, law, and typography. In typography, justification refers to the alignment of text to create a visually appealing layout. Over time, 'justify' has evolved to encompass the idea of proving something to be right or reasonable in a broader context.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,352, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

...
3349 achievement
3350 awareness
3351 beat
3352 justify
3353 km
3354 synthesis
3355 advised
...