Õigustab

Õigustab is Estonian verb in the present tense, third-person singular form of the verb õigustada. It means to justify, to vindicate, or to defend as right or proper. The word is used when someone provides reasons, explanations, or evidence that make a claim, action, or statement appear acceptable, credible, or lawful. The nuance can range from moral justification to legal or logical justification.

Etymology and related forms: õigustab is derived from the noun õigus (right, law) and the verbal suffix -usta. Related forms include the noun õigus (right, entitlement), the noun õigusustus/õigustus (justification), and the adjective õigustatud (justified). The verb Õigustada has the typical Estonian conjugation pattern: ma õigustan, sa õigustad, ta õigustab, me õigustame, te õigustate, nad õigustavad.

Usage examples: Tõendid õigustavad tema seisukohta. Ta õigustab oma tegusid. Uue plaani vajalikkus sõltub sellest, kas andmed õigustavad kavandatava reformi.

Context: Õigustab is commonly used in legal, argumentative, and everyday discourse when arguing that something is warranted or legitimate. In legal language it may appear with phrases referring to evidence or claims that support a position, while in everyday speech it often introduces explanations that defend a choice or action. Related meanings can overlap with synonyms such as põhjendama (to justify reasons) and kaitsma (to defend), though õigustada emphasizes justification or legitimization.