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
Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.
—
Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
Military technology has become more sophisticated, but the minds justifying its use are stuck in the past.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Instead, the statute requires the Homeland Security secretary to terminate TPS if the review finds that conditions justifying the designation no longer exist.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
There is no new census data justifying it.
—Dan Daley, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
There is no new census data justifying it.
—Dan Daley, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Regardless of the source, all that crypto spending represented real value flowing back into the coffers of Gala Games, justifying the minimum guarantee that Brink says Gala paid to Legacy developer 22cans.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
The other issue was justifying a large commercial project outside the UDB when county planning staff contend there is enough industrial real estate available within the development zone that Kelly could purchase for its new headquarters.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
But this involves submitting an application that includes a detailed plan to migrate their manufacturing to the US and justifying why manufacturing needs to be sourced outside the country in the short-term.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
Military technology has become more sophisticated, but the minds justifying its use are stuck in the past.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Instead, the statute requires the Homeland Security secretary to terminate TPS if the review finds that conditions justifying the designation no longer exist.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
There is no new census data justifying it.
—Dan Daley, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
There is no new census data justifying it.
—Dan Daley, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Regardless of the source, all that crypto spending represented real value flowing back into the coffers of Gala Games, justifying the minimum guarantee that Brink says Gala paid to Legacy developer 22cans.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
The other issue was justifying a large commercial project outside the UDB when county planning staff contend there is enough industrial real estate available within the development zone that Kelly could purchase for its new headquarters.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
But this involves submitting an application that includes a detailed plan to migrate their manufacturing to the US and justifying why manufacturing needs to be sourced outside the country in the short-term.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying
Verb
-
The species evolved to adapt, with some growing larger and others smaller than their mainland counterparts, explaining the larger size of the island scrub-jay and the small size of the island fox.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In 2012, Classic Media was bought by DreamWorks Animation, which in turn was acquired by Universal Pictures parent NBCUniversal in 2016, explaining why the potential Disney+ series is a co-production between DreamWorks Animation TV and UCP.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Just as significantly, Anunoby spent much of Tuesday night defending Jalen Johnson, the resurgent Hawks’ only All-Star, who finished with a modest 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Then Quentin Davie, the new coach of defending champion Hebron Christian and a close friend, called with an opportunity to join his staff.—
Jack Leo,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing, excusing the allegations as an accounting error.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
But Australians should maintain confidence in due process, and refrain from jumping to conclusions by either damning Roberts-Smith or excusing him.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That debate intensified this March, when city officials outlined multiple options for restructuring the city’s approach to homelessness, including maintaining LAHSA with reforms, shifting responsibilities to the county, or bringing more programs in-house.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The office also handles business registrations, oversees the state archives and runs a potpourri of other state programs, like commissioning notaries public and maintaining a registry for advance care directives.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The case has since taken several turns, with a lower-court ruling in 2021 that the plaintiffs did not have standing and also saying that they were bound by a state Supreme Court 1985 decision upholding the 1982 law.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Some said the commercial, with a conventionally attractive, white, thin, blonde woman with blue eyes at its center, was upholding Sweeney as the beauty standard.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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