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Justify vs Testify - What's the difference?

justify | testify |

As verbs the difference between justify and testify

is that justify is to provide an acceptable explanation for while testify is to make a declaration, or give evidence, under oath.

justify

English

Alternative forms

* justifie (obsolete)

Verb

  • To provide an acceptable explanation for.
  • How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?
    Paying too much for car insurance is not justified .
  • To be a good, acceptable reason for; warrant.
  • Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.
  • * E. Everett
  • Unless the oppression is so extreme as to justify' revolution, it would not ' justify the evil of breaking up a government.
  • To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.
  • The text will look better justified .
  • To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin
  • * Shakespeare
  • I cannot justify whom the law condemns.
  • * Bible, Acts xiii. 39
  • By him all that believe are justified' from all things, from which ye could not be ' justified by the law of Moses.
  • To prove; to ratify; to confirm.
  • (Shakespeare)

    testify

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb) (intransitive'' or ''transitive )
  • To make a declaration, or give evidence, under oath.
  • * 2014 , (Ruzwana Bashir), " The untold story of how a culture of shame perpetuates abuse. I know, I was a victim", The Guardian , 29 August 2014:
  • It was only after a decade away from Skipton that I was finally able to garner the courage to return and testify against my abuser.
  • * Bible, Numbers xxxv. 30
  • One witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
  • To make a statement based on personal knowledge or faith.
  • * Bible, John iii. 11
  • We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

    Synonyms

    * bear witness

    See also

    * compel testimony