Definitions for: Justify


[v] adjust the spaces between words; in printing; "justify the margins"
[v] defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"
[v] show to be right by providing justification or prove; "vindicate a claim"
[v] show to be reasonable
[v] let off the hook; "I absolve you from this responsibility"



Webster (1913) Definition: Jus"ti*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Justified; p. pr. &
vb. n. Justifying.] [F. justifier, L. justificare; justus
just + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Just, a., and
-fy.]
1. To prove or show to be just; to vindicate; to maintain or
defend as conformable to law, right, justice, propriety,
or duty.

That to the height of this great argument I may
assert eternal providence, And justify the ways of
God to men. --Milton.

Unless the oppression is so extreme as to justify
revolution, it would not justify the evil of
breaking up a government. --E. Everett.

2. To pronounce free from guilt or blame; to declare or prove
to have done that which is just, right, proper, etc.; to
absolve; to exonerate; to clear.

I can not justify whom the law condemns. --Shak.

3. (Theol.) To treat as if righteous and just; to pardon; to
exculpate; to absolve.

By him all that believe are justified from all
things, from which ye could not be justified by the
law of Moses. --Acts xiii.
39.

4. To prove; to ratify; to confirm. [Obs.] --Shak.

5. (Print.) To make even or true, as lines of type, by proper
spacing; to adjust, as type. See Justification, 4.

Syn: To defend; maintain; vindicate; excuse; exculpate;
absolve; exonerate.


Jus"ti*fy, v. i.
1. (Print.) To form an even surface or true line with
something else; to fit exactly.



2. (Law) To take oath to the ownership of property sufficient
to qualify one's self as bail or surety.


Jus"ti*fy, v. t. (Law)
(a) To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason
for an act that has been made the subject of a change or
accusation.
(b) To qualify (one's self) as a surely by taking oath to the
ownership of sufficient property.

The production of bail in court, who there justify
themselves against the exception of the plaintiff.
--Bouvier's
Law Dict.

Synonyms: absolve, apologise, apologize, excuse, free, rationalise, rationalize, vindicate, warrant

Antonyms: blame, fault

See Also: adjust, color, colour, confirm, defend, exempt, explain, extenuate, fend for, forgive, gloss, legitimate, let off, maintain, mitigate, palliate, plead, reassert, relieve, set, support, uphold, wash one's hands

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