justify

verb8

1. •
   To provide an acceptable explanation for.

   • How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?
   • Paying too much for car insurance is not justified.
2. •
   [with oneself] To give reasons for one’s actions; to make an argument to prove that one is in the right.

   • She felt no need to justify herself for deciding not to invite him.
3. •
   To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason for an act that has been made the subject of a charge or accusation.
4. •
   To be a good reason behind a normally-unacceptable action; to warrant.

   • Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.
5. •
   To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.

   • The text will look better justified.
6. •
   To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin.

   • I cannot justify whom the law condemns. — 1591
7. •
   To prove; to ratify; to confirm.

   • She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been, By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all; When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge She is thy very princess. — 1607
8. •
   To qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property.

   • J'USTIFYING BAIL, practice, is the production of bail in court, who there justify' themselves against the exception of the plaintiff. — 1839