English verb: justify | |||
1. | justify (communication) show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for | ||
Samples | The emergency does not warrant all of us buying guns. The end justifies the means. | ||
Synonyms | warrant | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | confirm, reassert | ||
2. | justify (communication) show to be right by providing justification or proof | ||
Samples | Vindicate a claim. | ||
Synonyms | vindicate | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | maintain, uphold | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | excuse, explain, legitimate | ||
3. | justify (communication) defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning | ||
Samples | Rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior. He rationalized his lack of success. | ||
Synonyms | apologise, apologize, excuse, rationalise, rationalize | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | defend, fend for, support | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | color, colour, extenuate, gloss, mitigate, palliate, plead | ||
4. | justify (communication) let off the hook | ||
Samples | I absolve you from this responsibility. | ||
Synonyms | absolve, free | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody of something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | forgive | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | excuse, exempt, let off, relieve, wash one's hands | ||
Antonyms | blame, fault | ||
5. | justify (change) adjust the spaces between words | ||
Samples | Justify the margins. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | adjust, correct, set | ||
Domain category | printing | ||