justify

/ˈdʒʌstəˌfaɪ/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
To show something is reasonable, explain a choice, or align text at a margin.

Examples

  • The results justify the cost of the program.
  • Can you justify this paragraph on the right?
  • He tried to justify his decision to the team.
  • Nothing could justify violence against civilians.
  • Does the evidence justify a new trial?

Similar words

set flush
support
make reasonable
account for
align
warrant
defend
explain

Meanings

Show to be reasonable

verb
reasoning
neutral
To show that an action, belief or cost is right, reasonable or deserved.

Examples

  • The results justify the cost of the program.
  • Does the evidence justify a new trial?
  • The risk cannot be justified by the small benefit.
  • Her progress justified our confidence in her.
  • Nothing could justify violence against civilians.

Similar words

Give reasons for a choice

verb
explanation
neutral
To give an explanation or defense for one’s actions or decision.

Examples

  • He tried to justify his decision to the team.
  • Can you justify spending so much on one event?
  • She did not justify herself to the committee.
  • The company justified the price rise by pointing to fuel costs.
  • They struggled to justify the delay to their customers.

Similar words

Align printed text

verb
typography
technical
To arrange lines of text so that one or both edges form a straight margin.

Examples

  • The designer justified the text along both margins.
  • Can you justify this paragraph on the right?
  • The first column is left-justified.
  • Do not justify the heading; keep it centered.
  • The document looks crowded when every line is justified.

Similar words

Etymology

From Old French justifier and Latin justificare, originally “do justice to,” built on justus, just or right. The typography sense concerns setting text in a regular line.

FAQ

What does justify mean?

It can show something is reasonable, explain a decision, or align text.

Can results justify a cost?

Yes. They can provide a good reason for paying it.

What does justify yourself mean?

To explain or defend your own actions.

What does justify mean in a word processor?

To align lines of text along one or both margins.

Where does justify come from?

It traces to a Latin word built on justus, meaning just or right.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...