justify
verb
jus·ti·fy
ˈjə-stə-ˌfī 
justified; justifying
1
a
: to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
trying to justify his selfish behavior
I shouldn't have to justify myself to them.
justify the ways of God to man—
John Milton
John Milton
b(1)
: to show to have had a sufficient legal reason
(2)
: to qualify (oneself) as a surety (see surety sense 3) by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property
2
3
a
: to space (lines of text) so that the lines come out even at the margin
b
: to make even by spacing lines of text
justified margins
1
a
: to show a sufficient lawful reason for an act done
b
: to qualify as bail or surety
the surety justified on the bail bond
2
: to justify lines of text
Examples of justify in a Sentence
He tried to justify his behavior by saying that he was being pressured unfairly by his boss.
The fact that we are at war does not justify treating innocent people as criminals.
Recent Examples on the Web
The other side: The Nooksack Tribal Council declined to comment this week, but justified the evictions in a statement released this month by asserting its sovereign right to govern housing on tribal lands and to prioritize the needs of its current members.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
There and elsewhere, the songs punch above the weight necessary for Christmas fluff, but most fail to clear the bar of justifying their presence in an already padded runtime.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
The threat against which China justifies its campaign—a Taiwanese push for independence—does not really exist: the Taiwanese people support the status quo and understand that pursuing independence would alienate the island’s international partners and likely invite a Chinese attack.
—David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Heading into Tuesday’s presidential vote, the Fed would have been justified in celebrating the return of inflation back to its 2% target.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for justify 
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Christine Clarridge, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
There and elsewhere, the songs punch above the weight necessary for Christmas fluff, but most fail to clear the bar of justifying their presence in an already padded runtime.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
The threat against which China justifies its campaign—a Taiwanese push for independence—does not really exist: the Taiwanese people support the status quo and understand that pursuing independence would alienate the island’s international partners and likely invite a Chinese attack.
—David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Heading into Tuesday’s presidential vote, the Fed would have been justified in celebrating the return of inflation back to its 2% target.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for justify
Dictionary Entries Near justify
Cite this Entry
“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justify. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
justify
verb
jus·ti·fy
ˈjəs-tə-ˌfī
justified; justifying
1
: to prove or show to be just, right, legal, or reasonable
2
: to release from the guilt of sin
Legal Definition
justify
verb
jus·ti·fy
ˈjəs-tə-ˌfī
justified; justifying
1
: to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
does not justify a denial of bail
2
: to show to have had a legally sufficient reason or cause
a defendant may not set up his own standard of conduct to justify or excuse himself—State v. Doss, 568 P.2d 1054 (1977)
State v. Doss, 568 P.2d 1054 (1977)1
: to show a legally sufficient reason for an act
2
: to swear an oath as to the ownership of sufficient property
they shall justify in an amount no less than $200—Oregon Revised Statutes
Oregon Revised Statutes
also
: to qualify as a surety by swearing such an oath
the defendants sought to justify as bail —State v. Blaisdell, 253 A.2d 341 (1969)
State v. Blaisdell, 253 A.2d 341 (1969) Love words? Need even more definitions?
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