Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb justify

5 senses of justify

Sense 1
justify, warrant -- (show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for; "The emergency does not warrant all of us buying guns"; "The end justifies the means")
       => confirm, reassert -- (strengthen or make more firm; "The witnesses confirmed the victim's account")

Sense 2
justify, vindicate -- (show to be right by providing justification or proof; "vindicate a claim")
       => uphold, maintain -- (support against an opponent; "The appellate court upheld the verdict")

Sense 3
apologize, apologise, excuse, justify, rationalize, rationalise -- (defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success")
       => defend, support, fend for -- (argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike")

Sense 4
absolve, justify, free -- (let off the hook; "I absolve you from this responsibility")
       => forgive -- (stop blaming or grant forgiveness; "I forgave him his infidelity"; "She cannot forgive him for forgetting her birthday")

Sense 5
justify -- (adjust the spaces between words; "justify the margins")
       => adjust, set, correct -- (alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard; "Adjust the clock, please"; "correct the alignment of the front wheels")