justify
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
justifies;
justified;
justifying
justifies;
justified;
justifying
Britannica Dictionary definition of JUSTIFY
[+ object]
1
:
to provide or be a good reason for (something)
:
to prove or show (something) to be just, right, or reasonable
—
see also the end justifies the means at 1end
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He tried to justify his behavior by saying that he was being pressured unfairly by his boss.
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The fact that we are at war does not justify treating innocent people as criminals.
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It's hard to justify the cost of a new car right now. = It's hard to justify spending money on a new car right now.
2
:
to provide a good reason for the actions of (someone)
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Why should I have to justify myself [=to provide an explanation for my actions] when it was their fault?
3
technical
:
to position (text) so that the edges form a straight line
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They felt justifiable pride in their son.
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justifiable expenses
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were justifiably proud
— justified
adjective, not used before a noun [more justified; most justified]-
She was (perfectly/fully) justified in complaining to her boss. [=she had a good reason for complaining to her boss]
