Definition of justifynext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb justify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of justify are assert, defend, maintain, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

When might assert be a better fit than justify?

The synonyms assert and justify are sometimes interchangeable, but assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

In what contexts can defend take the place of justify?

The words defend and justify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

When would maintain be a good substitute for justify?

While in some cases nearly identical to justify, maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

When is it sensible to use vindicate instead of justify?

In some situations, the words vindicate and justify are roughly equivalent. However, vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of justify Legal argument explains why that outrage is justified under enduring principles of government. Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 And yet at the start of the Mass, a priest read aloud a statement justifying the consecrations as a necessary defense of the faith and criticizing how the Catholic Church today had deviated from tradition. ABC News, 1 July 2026 Stephen Miller and his ilk are seeking to rewrite history to justify their vision of the future of America. Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 That may be why Amodei felt justified in turning down the administration’s request to voluntarily pull Fable off the market, according to a story in Politico. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for justify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justify
Verb
  • Faith, hope drive Venezuelan community's response The day the earthquakes struck was a holiday in Venezuela, which may explain why many families were at home when the disaster occurred, while some children were visiting friends or relatives.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Maybe that explains her chaotic behavior when the crew goes out later that night.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • When the streamers come down, the felt lift goes with them, and what survives is a line in the budget defended by everyone who had a good time.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Before the earthquakes, the government generally defended its national health system as robust, blaming shortcomings on sanctions imposed by the United States.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Demings uses the go-to excuse that state legislation bans using the TDT on local projects.
    Mike Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • She’s been canceled, kidnapped, and bamboozled, happy to tell anyone who’ll listen, and who’ll excuse her typos.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Those resources include avenues to help seniors maintain regular exercise, ongoing positive social connections, appropriate living situations, transportation and more.
    Rachel Brown Kirkland, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
  • The business in question is stealing Georgia’s nightclub idea, though Charlie maintains that’s not what’s happening because his club won’t have any bowling.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • In a 5-4 ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court's majority, upheld limits Congress imposed on a president's attempt to remove members of the Fed as a legitimate protection of the institution's historical independence.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 29 June 2026
  • The ruling upholds laws in 30 states that allow at least some ballots to arrive after Election Day, including ballots from military voters and Americans who live overseas.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justify. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on justify

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster