Crossword Genius

Justify being very mean (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vindicate

'justify' is the definition.
(I know that justify can be written as vindicate)

'very mean' is the wordplay.
'very' becomes 'v' (abbreviation).
'mean' becomes 'indicate'.
'v'+'indicate'='VINDICATE'

'being' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for vindicate that I've seen before include "Make good a claim" , "Clear of blame" , "Justify by evidence or results" , "Avenge or exonerate" , "Deflect criticism" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Telegraph.
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