ENGLISH
REFERENCE

justifies

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈdʒəstəˌfaɪz// UK //dʒˈʌstɪfˌaɪz// jus·ti·fies

v. to show or give a good reason for something. You use this when you explain why an action or a decision is right or necessary.

v. provides a legitimate reason or explanation for an action, belief, or expenditure. Often links a specific outcome to a moral, legal, or logical necessity.


SIMPLE

The high quality of the food justifies the expensive price.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager justifies the extra spending by showing how much time the new software saves the team.

COMPLEX

While the initial investment was substantial, the long-term reduction in carbon emissions justifies the cost from both an environmental and a financial perspective.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object; often followed by a gerund or a noun phrase.

Pitfall

He justifies to leave earlyHe justifies leaving earlyJustify is followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun, not a to-infinitive.

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