That to the height of this great argument I may
assert eternal providence, And justify the ways of
God to men. --Milton.
Unless the oppression is so extreme as to justify
revolution, it would not justify the evil of
breaking up a government. --E. Everett.
2. To pronounce free from guilt or blame; to declare or prove
to have done that which is just, right, proper, etc.; to
absolve; to exonerate; to clear.
I can not justify whom the law condemns. --Shak.
3. (Theol.) To treat as if righteous and just; to pardon; to
exculpate; to absolve.
By him all that believe are justified from all
things, from which ye could not be justified by the
law of Moses. --Acts xiii.
39.
4. To prove; to ratify; to confirm. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. (Print.) To make even or true, as lines of type, by proper
spacing; to adjust, as type. See {Justification}, 4.
Syn: To defend; maintain; vindicate; excuse; exculpate;
absolve; exonerate.
The production of bail in court, who there justify
themselves against the exception of the plaintiff.
--Bouvier's
Law Dict.