Justify Meaning in English
word
/ˈdʒəstəˌfaɪ/
JUH-stuh-fy
/dʒˈʌstɪfˌaɪ/
JUH-sti-fy
Definition
To give a reason or explanation for something, especially to show it is right or fair. It is often used when you try to prove that your actions or ideas are reasonable.
Usage & Nuances
More formal; commonly used in academic, legal, and professional contexts. Typical collocations: 'justify an action', 'justify a decision'. Not usually used for minor, everyday excuses (use 'explain' or 'excuse' instead). As a computer term, it also means to align text evenly.
Spanish: justificarPortuguese (BR): justificarPortuguese (PT): justificarChinese (Simplified): 证明...有理 - 辩解Chinese (Traditional): 證明⋯有理 - 辯解Hindi: सिद्ध करना - उचित ठहरानाArabic: يبررBengali: ন্যায্যতা দেওয়া - যুক্তি দেখানোRussian: оправдывать - обосновыватьJapanese: 正当化する - 説明するVietnamese: biện minh - chứng minhKorean: 정당화하다Turkish: gerekçelendirmek - haklı çıkarmakUrdu: جواز پیش کرنا - توجیح کرناIndonesian: membenarkan - mengesahkan
Example Sentences
How do you justify being late every day?
natural
Nothing could justify what he did.
natural
Can you justify your answer?
basic
I can't justify spending so much money.
basic
She tried to justify her actions to her friends.
basic
Please justify both margins of the text in the document.
natural