justify-v; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: give or be a good reason for something, rationalize

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1 JUSTIFY NP2

Examples:
Does the end justify the means?
Whether or not we think the anger is justified by the action is immaterial.
She justified each budgetary expense as necessary.
I can't really justify taking another day off work

Mappings:
VerbNet: transfer_mesg-37.1.1
FrameNet: Deserving,Justifying
PropBank: justify.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 3

Sense Number 2: LEGAL- demonstrate sufficent legal reason for a legal action

Examples:
They have not taken any legal action to justify the discovery of Doe's identity.
The action must justify the benefit that one set of creditors receives.
You simply need to have enough co-plaintiffs to justify the suit as a class.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: Deserving,Justifying
PropBank: justify.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: absolve from responsibility, guilt or blame

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1 JUSTIFY NP2 (PP{FROM NP}) (PP{BY NP})
NOTE: Religious meaning-'absolve from sin'.

Examples:
It does not justify him from him duties.
It doesn't justify you from cheating on your wife.
The authorities justified him from all the false charges brought against him.
God justifies sinners by grace.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: Deserving,Justifying
PropBank: justify.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 4: adjust spaces between words to produce even margins

Examples:
Justify the paragraph with respect to the graphic.
Pressing Ctrl-J on your keyboard justifies the paragraph.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5