Justify Meaning
Justify Definition & Usage
To explain or give reasons for an action, belief, or decision, typically in a way that makes it seem reasonable or acceptable.
Examples
- "She tried to justify her decision by explaining the financial benefits of the plan."
- "The politician struggled to justify his actions after the scandal."
- "Can you justify your actions to the team? We need clear reasoning."
- "He could not justify the delay in the project’s completion."
- "The teacher asked him to justify his answer with evidence from the text."
To show or make something seem right, acceptable, or reasonable, often by providing an explanation or rationalization.
Examples
- "The company justified the price increase by citing inflation and higher production costs."
- "He justified his loud behavior by claiming he was just passionate about the topic."
- "The artist justified the unusual style of his work by discussing its symbolic meaning."
- "They justified the decision to reduce staff by emphasizing the need to cut costs."
- "The use of surveillance cameras was justified by the need to ensure security."
To regard or treat an action or decision as right, moral, or justifiable, sometimes despite its controversial nature.
Examples
- "Many people struggle to justify the use of violence as a solution to conflicts."
- "She justified her actions by saying she was only trying to protect her family."
- "The manager justified the strict policies by stating they were for the greater good."
- "Some may justify breaking the law under the claim of civil disobedience."
- "In his eyes, the punishment was justified due to the severity of the crime."
Cultural Context
The word 'justify' comes from the Latin 'justificare,' meaning 'to make just, to show to be just.' Historically, it was used in legal and moral contexts to explain or defend actions, making them seem fair or appropriate.
The Courtroom of Justification
Story
The Courtroom of Justification
In a small courtroom in the city, Anna sat nervously in the defendant’s chair, knowing she would have to justify her actions to the judge. It wasn’t the first time she had been called to explain herself, but this time was different. This time, the stakes were higher, and the eyes of the world were on her. The charge? Corporate fraud, something she never imagined she would be accused of, especially given her years of hard work at the firm. Her lawyer, Martin, was pacing the floor, muttering to himself about how to justify her actions to the jury. 'We need to prove that the transactions were legitimate,' he said, 'and that any irregularities were not intentional.' Anna’s mind raced as the prosecutor laid out the case against her. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. How could she justify a series of deals that, in hindsight, seemed suspicious? Was there even a reasonable explanation? As Martin spoke to the jury, she realized that sometimes, even if you are right, you still need to justify your decisions. The defense wasn’t just about being truthful—it was about making the jury understand. And so, in her closing argument, she took a deep breath, faced the jury, and explained her thought process behind each decision, hoping they would justify her intentions. In the end, the jury deliberated for hours. Anna's heart was in her throat, but when the verdict was finally read, she felt a mix of relief and disbelief. The jury had justified her actions, and she was free—at least for now. But as she walked out of the courthouse, she knew that every action, every choice, would need to be justified in the future. And that was the burden of living in a world where even the right decisions were often questioned.
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