justify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "justify" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to provide a reason for or show a goodness or necessity for something. You can use it any time you need to explain your position or to demonstrate why something is necessary or good. Example: "I need to justify my decision to take an extended leave of absence from work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The protesters were issued with a without-notice injunction from the high court but I don't think the urgency was there to justify an injunction of this kind," he said.

The Guardian

He has used the many attacks on him – not least from the European commission – to justify what critics correctly see as a comprehensive attempt to undermine checks and balances, and remake the entire country in the image of one political party.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Times (paywall) says the police need to justify the detention of Miranda.

The Guardian

(This was the argument used by the Home Office to justify Miranda's detention - see 12pm).

The Guardian

He said a paper he filed on 24 November to Fifa showed why "when viewed in the context of the report it purported to summarise, no principled approach could justify the Eckert decision's edits, omissions and additions".

The Guardian - Sport

However, does this justify what appears to be the inappropriate levels of opprobrium aimed at the GOT rape scene?

The Guardian - Opinion

When my friends try to intellectually justify the likes of the humourless recent Batman films, I think of Charlie Brooker's imaginary magazine for simpletons, Shit Film Liker (cover: "Con Air 2: at last!").

The Guardian - Film

I think it's planned that way … so all the new senators look stupid and the government can justify changing the rules," he said, referring to government proposals to change Senate voting so people could not be elected on a tiny percentage of the vote.

The Guardian

It is difficult to justify subjecting private patients to unnecessary tests and treatments if you avoid doing the same to NHS patients," he writes.

The Guardian

With just six working days left for Congress to re-authorise a controversial expiring portion of the 2001 Patriot Act that the NSA has used since 2006 to justify the program, Senate Republican leaders have insisted the bulk domestic surveillance should be renewed in its current form but conceded they may not have the votes to do so.

The Guardian

The Abbott government has tried to justify its harsh budget by claiming the existence of an emergency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "justify", clearly state the action or decision being justified and the reasons supporting it. Strong justifications rely on evidence and logical reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "justify" when you simply mean to offer an excuse. Justifications should demonstrate the inherent rightness or necessity of an action, while excuses merely mitigate blame.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "justify" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being defended or explained. Ludwig shows numerous examples where "justify" is used to provide reasons for actions, decisions, or beliefs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "justify" functions as a transitive verb used to provide reasoning or validation for an action, belief, or decision. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, most notably in News & Media. When writing, focus on offering evidence-based explanations rather than simple excuses, and be mindful of the term's versatile yet formal tone. For alternatives, consider "vindicate", "warrant", or "defend" based on the nuance you intend to convey. With careful consideration and the guidance here, you can confidently and effectively employ the word "justify" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warrant

Indicates that something is necessary or appropriate.

provide a rationale for

Focuses on the underlying logic or principles behind something.

vindicate

Similar to "justify", but often implies clearing someone of blame or suspicion.

give reasons for

A more explicit and descriptive way of expressing the act of justifying.

substantiate

To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of.

defend

Focuses on protecting or supporting something against criticism or attack.

legitimize

Makes something acceptable or lawful.

excuse

Offers a reason to mitigate blame or responsibility.

rationalize

Creates a seemingly logical explanation for something, often after the fact.

explain

Provides clarification or reasons for something.

FAQs

How can I use "justify" in a sentence?

You can use "justify" to explain why an action or decision is reasonable or necessary. For example: "How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?"

What are some alternatives to "justify"?

You can use alternatives like "vindicate", "defend", or "warrant" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "justify"?

"Justify" is appropriate when you need to provide a valid reason or explanation for something, especially if it is being questioned or criticized. It is used to show something to be right or reasonable.

What's the difference between "justify" and "excuse"?

"Justify" is to show or prove to be right or reasonable, while "excuse" is to attempt to lessen the blame attaching to (a fault or offence); seek to defend or vindicate.