Practice Justify with Flashcards, Spelling and Quizzes

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ACT 3 (American College Testing)

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High School 14

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Definition of justify

To provide an explanation or reasoning that supports or defends a decision, action, or belief.
"She had to justify her absence from work with a doctor's note."

Detailed Meaning of Justify

When someone justifies something, they are attempting to show that it is reasonable, appropriate, or necessary. This often involves presenting evidence, arguments, or examples that demonstrate why the decision, action, or belief is valid or justified. In essence, justifying is about making a case for something, and convincing others that it is the right or best course of action. Justification can be used in a variety of contexts, including in personal relationships, business, politics, and law.

Example Sentences for Justify

1. He tried to justify his actions, but his explanation fell short.
2. The company's spokesperson attempted to justify the price increase.
3. She had to justify her decision to her skeptical parents.
4. The politician struggled to justify his controversial statements.
5. The professor asked the student to justify their answer with supporting evidence.
6. The defendant's lawyer worked hard to justify his client's innocence.

Origin and Etymology of Justify

The verb 'justify' has its origins in Latin and Middle English. It derives from the Latin word 'justificare,' which combines 'justus,' meaning 'just' or 'right,' and 'facere,' meaning 'to make' or 'to do.' In its early usage, 'justify' carried the sense of making something just or right, often with a legal or moral connotation. As the word made its way into Middle English, it underwent a semantic shift, evolving to mean the act of providing an explanation or reasoning that supports or defends a decision, action, or belief. This transformation reflects the notion that by offering valid justifications, individuals can demonstrate the rightness or legitimacy of their choices or positions, whether in a legal, ethical, or logical context.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb justify:

defend

denounce

criticize

condemn

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Justify

1. The employee had to justify their request for a raise.
2. The manager had to justify the budget allocation to the higher-ups.
3. She couldn't justify spending so much money on a luxury item.
4. The scientist needed to justify the significance of their research findings.
5. The teacher asked the student to justify their choice of topic for the essay.
6. The spokesperson tried to justify the company's environmental practices.
7. The committee asked the project manager to justify the timeline for completion.
8. The customer demanded that the salesperson justify the high price tag.
9. The architect had to justify their design choices to the client.
10. The defendant struggled to justify his actions in court.
11. The researcher had to justify the selection of their study sample.
12. The coach had to justify their decision to bench the star player.
13. The CEO needed to justify the decision to downsize the company.
14. The candidate had to justify their qualifications during the job interview.