1
as in to explain
to be an acceptable reason for
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to defend
to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections
failed to justify the need for a war at this time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of justify
As a result, the court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to either determine whether greenhouse gases from new vehicles contribute to climate change, and therefore endanger human health, or justify its refusal to study the issue.
—
Hannah Wiseman, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Vance, speaking with Sean Hannity on Fox, sought to justify the Administration’s actions in Catholic terms.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Side characters feel shoe-horned in to justify a sprawling ensemble.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
On Monday, seven of the Constitutional Court's eight judges overturned or dismissed Han's impeachment, arguing that accusations against him either did not constitute legal violations or were not severe enough to justify removing him from office.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justify
Hannah Wiseman, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Vance, speaking with Sean Hannity on Fox, sought to justify the Administration’s actions in Catholic terms.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Side characters feel shoe-horned in to justify a sprawling ensemble.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
On Monday, seven of the Constitutional Court's eight judges overturned or dismissed Han's impeachment, arguing that accusations against him either did not constitute legal violations or were not severe enough to justify removing him from office.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justify
Verb
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The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
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If yes, please explain: Only at the misdemeanor level.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In a twist from the first Trump administration, which tried to kill Barack Obama's landmark health insurance law, Trump's Justice Department is defending the law.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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But López Obrador has defended hydrocarbons since his youth, and the energy reform became a rallying cry for MORENA.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Behaviors once deemed unacceptable are becoming normalized and excused.—
Toby Wong,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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The school board then revised its Religious Diversity Guidelines to limit the circumstances when students can be excused to noncurricular activities or free-time events that conflict with their family's religious practices.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This substantial commitment reflects the scale of investment required to maintain competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving AI infrastructure market.—
Maribel Lopez,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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However, Danish authorities have maintained possession of the two friends' passports, according to Ray's family.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For example, Vampire Stack upholds his promise to Smoke about letting Sammie live out his life in peace.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
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During this same period, the dean of admissions for each program or school must sign a public statement after each admissions cycle certifying that these rules have been upheld.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justify. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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