justify

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jus·ti·fy / ˈjəstəˌfī/ • v. (-fies, -fied) [tr.] 1. show or prove to be right or reasonable: the person appointed has fully justified our confidence. ∎  be a good reason for: the situation was grave enough to justify further investigation. 2. Theol. declare or make righteous in the sight of God. 3. Printing adjust (a line of type or piece of text) so that the print fills a space evenly or forms a straight edge at one or both margins.DERIVATIVES: jus·ti·fi·ca·tion / ˌjəstəfiˈkāshən/ n.jus·tif·i·ca·to·ry / jəˈstifəkəˌtôrē; ˌjəstəfiˈkātôrē/ adj.jus·ti·fi·er n.

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