justify

S2 W2

BrE /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/ AmE /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/

verb en → es

past justified pp justified ing justifying

1 EXPLAIN/DEFEND [transitive] B1

to give reasons for something in order to show that it is right or necessary

justificar, explicar, defender

  • justify sth (to sb)
  • justify doing sth

Collocations justify a decision · justify an action

  • He tried to justify his actions.

    Él intentó justificar sus acciones.

2 LEGAL [transitive] B2

to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing

justificar, demostrar la inocencia de

  • justify sb (of sth)

Collocations justify someone of a crime

  • The lawyer tried to justify his client of the charges.

    El abogado intentó justificar a su cliente de los cargos.

3 ECONOMIC [transitive] C1

to show that something is economically worthwhile or necessary

justificar económicamente, demostrar la viabilidad económica de

  • justify sth (to sb)

Collocations justify an investment

  • The company needs to justify the cost of this project.

    La empresa necesita justificar el costo de este proyecto.

4 LOGIC [transitive] C1

to show that something is true or reasonable by using logic and facts

demostrar lógicamente, razonar

  • justify sth (to sb)

Collocations justify a theory

  • The scientist justified her hypothesis with new evidence.

    La científica justificó su hipótesis con nueva evidencia.