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
The Justice Department has not yet released a formal explanation justifying its redaction decisions.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
And yet, major Jewish legacy organizations continue to insist that support for Israel requires denying the realities of occupation, justifying violence against Palestinians and rejecting Palestinian self-determination even while affirming the same for Jews.
—Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
That, combined with the impending anniversary and the excuse of bringing it to more platforms and younger generations, is how this remake is justifying its existence.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
As immigration sweeps and detentions have expanded in Minnesota and around the country, the work of justifying those detentions is overwhelming federal prosecutors, who are being forced to sideline a range of other criminal and civil cases in order to keep pace.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Who gets so far at work without thinking through — and long since justifying — the consequences?
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2026
Husband-chef and wife-farmer duo Kyle and Katina Connaughton are culinary dynamos who create pure magic on every plate served at SingleThread, more than justifying the lengthy waitlist for reservations.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
In justifying the need for the county’s investment, county Commissioner Andrew Sommerman noted the burden homeless individuals are placing on the jail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s buses and trains, and the Parkland Hospital emergency department.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Dodgers’ record-breaking spending has delivered consecutive World Series titles and more than $1 billion in annual revenue, justifying their aggressive payroll approach.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Nik Popli, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
And yet, major Jewish legacy organizations continue to insist that support for Israel requires denying the realities of occupation, justifying violence against Palestinians and rejecting Palestinian self-determination even while affirming the same for Jews.
—Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
That, combined with the impending anniversary and the excuse of bringing it to more platforms and younger generations, is how this remake is justifying its existence.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
As immigration sweeps and detentions have expanded in Minnesota and around the country, the work of justifying those detentions is overwhelming federal prosecutors, who are being forced to sideline a range of other criminal and civil cases in order to keep pace.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Who gets so far at work without thinking through — and long since justifying — the consequences?
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2026
Husband-chef and wife-farmer duo Kyle and Katina Connaughton are culinary dynamos who create pure magic on every plate served at SingleThread, more than justifying the lengthy waitlist for reservations.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
In justifying the need for the county’s investment, county Commissioner Andrew Sommerman noted the burden homeless individuals are placing on the jail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s buses and trains, and the Parkland Hospital emergency department.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Dodgers’ record-breaking spending has delivered consecutive World Series titles and more than $1 billion in annual revenue, justifying their aggressive payroll approach.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying
Verb
-
Perardi emailed a photo explaining that it had been given to him as collateral.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Several board members cited the legal outcome in explaining their votes against Ben Gamla.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Lakers lost on Monday night to the Thunder, the defending NBA champions, who also have the best record in the league, and then had this back-to-back game against the tough Spurs.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 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
-
But there’s no excusing Josh Allen’s four turnovers.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What role should the county judge play in maintaining civility on the commissioners court and in the audience?—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Anna and Robert, however, despair over the imminent disruption of the family unit, and drastic, escalatingly calamitous steps are taken toward maintaining the status quo.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That includes explaining decisions clearly in open court, applying the law impartially, and upholding the highest standards of judicial ethics.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The company aims to maintain production continuity to assist workers with repetitive, physically demanding tasks while upholding quality and safety standards.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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