justify Definition
- 1to show or prove that something is right, reasonable, or justifiable
- 2to align text to the left or right margin, leaving a straight edge on one or both sides of the page
Using justify: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "justify" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The lawyer tried to justify his client's actions.
Example
Can you justify your decision to quit your job?
Example
The text is justified to the left margin.
Example
She justified the text to create a clean edge on both sides of the page.
justify Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for justify
- defend
- support
- legitimize
- rationalize
- vindicate
Phrases with justify
self-justification
the act of defending or explaining one's own actions or decisions
Example
His self-justification for cheating on the exam did not convince the teacher.
Example
He tried to justify himself by saying that he had no other choice.
Example
He believed that the end goal was worth any means necessary to justify it.
Origins of justify
from Old French 'justifier', from Latin 'justificare', from 'justus' meaning 'just' and 'facere' meaning 'to make'
Summary: justify in Brief
The verb 'justify' [ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ] means to demonstrate the rightness or reasonableness of something. It can also refer to aligning text to the left or right margin. Examples include 'The lawyer tried to justify his client's actions' and 'The text is justified to the left margin.' Phrases include 'self-justification,' 'justify oneself,' and 'justify the means.'