Reading Theme:
Justify: Definition, Common Uses & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：provide reasons for (justify)
justify
/ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/
vt.
To give a good reason or explanation for why you did something.
provide reasons for
➕
pruh-VYD REE-zuhnz for
vt.
To offer satisfactory reasons or evidence to explain, support, or defend a decision, action, or belief.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'justificare', combining 'jus' (law, right) and 'facere' (to make). Literally means 'to make right or just'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: 'JUST-IF-I' (Just if I)... If I can give a JUST reason IF asked, then I can JUSTIFY my actions.
📖 Example
The CEO needed to justify the company's decision to lay off employees during the town hall meeting.
The CEO was required to explain and provide valid reasons for the company's choice to reduce staff at the public meeting.
🔗 Collocations
justify an action – to provide valid reasons for a specific thing that was done
justify a decision – to explain and defend the reasoning behind a choice that was made
justify one's behavior – to give acceptable explanations for the way one acted
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
condemn (vt.) – to express strong disapproval of something or declare it wrong
🌱 Derivatives
justifiable (adj.) – able to be shown to be right or reasonable
justification (n.) – the action of justifying something or a good reason for it
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'justify' entered English in the 14th century from Old French 'justifier', which itself came from Late Latin 'justificare' ('to act justly'). In Roman law and early Christian theology, the term was crucial for describing the process of making something right in the eyes of the law or God. This historical legal and moral foundation explains its strong connotation of providing valid, acceptable reasons, a usage that remains central in modern contexts like business, law, and academia where reasoned arguments are essential.
Meaning 2：make acceptable (justify)
justify
/ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/
vt.
If a good result is enough to make a cost or action seem acceptable, then it justifies it.
make acceptable
➕
MAYK ak-SEP-tuh-buhl
vt.
To be a good and sufficient reason for something, especially when its benefits are considered to outweigh its costs or negative aspects.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The environmental benefits of the new policy fully justify the initial investment required.
The positive outcomes for the environment are a completely sufficient reason to accept and support the upfront costs of the new policy.
🔗 Collocations
justify the cost – to be a good enough reason for the amount of money spent
justify the means – to make the methods used acceptable because of the positive end result (often used in the phrase 'the end justifies the means')
hard to justify – difficult to find a good or acceptable reason for
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
negate (vt.) – to nullify the effect or value of something, making it invalid
🌱 Derivatives
justifiable (adj.) – able to be shown to be right or reasonable
Wordbook
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