Justify
WordNet
verb
(1) Adjust the spaces between words
"Justify the margins"
(2) Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
"Rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"
"He rationalized his lack of success"
(3) Show to be right by providing justification or proof
"Vindicate a claim"
(4) Show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
"The emergency does not warrant all of us buying guns"
"The end justifies the means"
(5) Let off the hook
"I absolve you from this responsibility"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from , , + , from .
Verb
- To provide an acceptable explanation for.
- How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?
- Paying too much for car insurance is not justified.
- To be a good, acceptable reason for.
- Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.
- To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.
- The text will look better justified.
Related terms
- -fy
- just
- justification
- justifiable
- justifiably
- unjustified