1
as in explains
to be an acceptable reason for
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
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2
as in defends
to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections
failed to justify the need for a war at this time
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Recent Examples of justifies
At the same time, Maryland has lost approximately 130,000 residents since Moore took office, yet the budget justifies hundreds of millions in housing and community revitalization spending based on population growth assumptions that do not match reality.
—
J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Today’s chip valuations have also already priced in years of double-digit growth, so any friction in the buildout justifies short-term selloffs.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
That said, the long experience of governments trying to restrict young people’s access to temptation goods of other kinds—drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, pornography—justifies cautious optimism.
—Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Even the National Rifle Association has rebuked a federal prosecutor who suggested that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
None of that justifies itself on a daily status report.
—Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Longitudinal documentaries — shot over many years and following their subjects over wide swaths of their lives — sometimes have a tendency to totalize, almost as if their scope justifies and perhaps demands a solemn, all-encompassing thesis.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Robertson argued that this violates his client's criminal prosecution rights and justifies his motion to dismiss his case.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Today’s chip valuations have also already priced in years of double-digit growth, so any friction in the buildout justifies short-term selloffs.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
That said, the long experience of governments trying to restrict young people’s access to temptation goods of other kinds—drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, pornography—justifies cautious optimism.
—Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Even the National Rifle Association has rebuked a federal prosecutor who suggested that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
None of that justifies itself on a daily status report.
—Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Longitudinal documentaries — shot over many years and following their subjects over wide swaths of their lives — sometimes have a tendency to totalize, almost as if their scope justifies and perhaps demands a solemn, all-encompassing thesis.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Robertson argued that this violates his client's criminal prosecution rights and justifies his motion to dismiss his case.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifies
Verb
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Harvard Professor Carla Martin explains how cacao transformed from a sacred drink into a Valentine’s Day staple — and how history, marketing and chemistry helped give chocolate its emotional power.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Athletes are tested for substances as part of the Monitoring Program during regular doping checks in order to gather data on usage, Fitzgerald explains.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … JUDGE ON TRIAL — Supreme Court justice defends Grammys attendance as senator calls for investigation.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass while Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks defends.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One possibility is an expansion of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, or UNTSO, which maintains a small observer force in Lebanon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The adjoining bathroom maintains its original cementina floor tiles and is finished in a pink concrete-resin playing off the existing terra-cotta tones.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a league that still recites diversity statements and upholds Rooney Rule interview requirements, no Black head coaches were hired.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
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That support has given me the strength to keep pushing forward, for integrity, accountability, and a sport that truly upholds the values that brought us together to compete.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifies. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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