1
as in explaining
to be an acceptable reason for
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in defending
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 justifying
Smith, the leading kratom researcher, has said the emphasis on semisynthetic 7-OH is odd because there is no evidence justifying it, and because the natural kratom alkaloid mitragynine still converts to 7-OH during manufacturing and in the body.
—
Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
For CFOs, the challenge is justifying AI spending before returns are visible.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
While report language is not enforceable by law, it is commonly used as leverage that signals congressional intent and puts agencies on notice — those that ignore it risk a harder time justifying their budgets to the same committee next year.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Sheeran inserted language into the Medicaid settlement justifying the $10 million diversion on the grounds that the Hope Florida program would be expanding into Medicaid.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
In justifying the bilateral talks, the Cuban president cited the country’s energy collapse, noting that some areas have gone more than 30 hours without power.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Lee is justifying concentrating the funds in Oakland, given the city carries the majority of the county’s homelessness population.
—Kate Talerico, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
Violence in the backcountry between Americans and Native people intensified, fueled by rhetoric justifying atrocities and the expulsion of Indigenous nations to address Americans’ demand for new land.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Fighting for its survival, Iran has the capacity to choke fossil-fuel markets by launching sporadic attacks on passing tankers, enough to deter companies and their insurers from justifying that risk.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
For CFOs, the challenge is justifying AI spending before returns are visible.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
While report language is not enforceable by law, it is commonly used as leverage that signals congressional intent and puts agencies on notice — those that ignore it risk a harder time justifying their budgets to the same committee next year.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Sheeran inserted language into the Medicaid settlement justifying the $10 million diversion on the grounds that the Hope Florida program would be expanding into Medicaid.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
In justifying the bilateral talks, the Cuban president cited the country’s energy collapse, noting that some areas have gone more than 30 hours without power.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Lee is justifying concentrating the funds in Oakland, given the city carries the majority of the county’s homelessness population.
—Kate Talerico, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
Violence in the backcountry between Americans and Native people intensified, fueled by rhetoric justifying atrocities and the expulsion of Indigenous nations to address Americans’ demand for new land.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Fighting for its survival, Iran has the capacity to choke fossil-fuel markets by launching sporadic attacks on passing tankers, enough to deter companies and their insurers from justifying that risk.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying
Verb
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Both Miller and Martinez shared a similar sentiment, explaining that business owners need to be ready to network and create a social media strategy.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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The proposal does not include a summary explaining the purpose of the observance, and no additional details have been published outlining how the dates would be calculated beyond the language in the bill text.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Keller stymies defending champ Coppell Claire Garritson scored the game-winning goal in the second half and Keller hung on to beat defending state champion Coppell 2-1 in the Class 6A Division 1 Region 1 Final on Tuesday night at Keller High School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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During the 2002 World Cup, fans across Africa celebrated Senegal’s upset victory over defending champion France, its former colonizer, as a symbol of liberation.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Americans must hold the president to a higher standard and stop excusing him like a misbehaving child from a broken home.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
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But there’s no excusing Josh Allen’s four turnovers.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Aquarians are all about maintaining the good of the group, and rarely like to cause havoc.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
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As undersea warfare becomes increasingly central to US naval strategy, the reentry of a modern Virginia-class submarine like USS New Jersey states the importance of maintaining a ready and capable attack submarine fleet.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Colorado Court of Appeals issued a ruling that threw out former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters' sentence, while still upholding her conviction for orchestrating a security breach of her own election system.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Courts, however, have consistently rejected or sidestepped those 14th Amendment claims over the past quarter century, while almost uniformly upholding the policy interpretation.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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