Justify
Verb
UK
/ˈdʒʌs.tɪ.faɪ/
US
/ˈdʒʌs.tə.faɪ/
Definition
To show something is right by giving clear reasons.
Example
"He tried to justify his mistake."
"She justified her decision by explaining the problem and showing why her choice made sense."
"You don’t need to justify your feelings; it’s okay to simply express them honestly."
Explanation
Justify means to give a good reason for something you did, said, or decided. For example, he tried to justify his absence, meaning he explained why he was not there. It can also mean to show that something is right or reasonable, like she justified her choice with clear reasons. People justify actions when others ask “Why did you do that?” and they need to explain.