justify
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
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
How do you justify being late every day?
natural
Nothing could justify what he did.
natural
Please justify both margins of the text in the document.
natural