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
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
The frustration women feel is real and justified.
—
Vanessa Bennett, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
Presidents routinely rely on AUMFs to justify unilateral military action.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Somehow, the upper hand never lingers long with Sally and Barnaby, drolly played by Gunning and Corden as a conniving Tweedledee and Tweedledum, loyal to no one and convinced their venality is justified by their father’s history of terrible parenting.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Trump justified both sets of tariffs - as well as more recent tariffs - under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
—Dietrich Knauth, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justify
Vanessa Bennett, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
Presidents routinely rely on AUMFs to justify unilateral military action.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Somehow, the upper hand never lingers long with Sally and Barnaby, drolly played by Gunning and Corden as a conniving Tweedledee and Tweedledum, loyal to no one and convinced their venality is justified by their father’s history of terrible parenting.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Trump justified both sets of tariffs - as well as more recent tariffs - under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
—Dietrich Knauth, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justify
Verb
-
At each camp, the team leaves behind a small but powerful item, a red card that explains what to do during encounters with immigration officials.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The powers that be explained to me that in the audiobook, there would be no easy way to identify the bees’ chapters, which were designated with italics in the printed version, unless the narrator’s voice changed from female to male.—
Elizabeth Bass Parman,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the way Herbert flashed early in his career, tossing seven touchdown passes and only one interception in a 2021 season sweep of the defending AFC champion Chiefs, had come to feel like a tease.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Responding to Joe Starnes, a Democratic congressman from Alabama, Flanagan proved to be a tough witness and defended the project as being a cure for American inactivity.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But that legal reality shouldn’t excuse the behavior.—
Matt Germer,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Listening to these women fawn all over Julia for carrying the laird’s child, for carrying a future king, listening to them excuse away Julia being unmarried, all of it makes Davina blow a fuse.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This means regularly assessing your thinking skills, consciously choosing when to engage versus delegate mental tasks, and maintaining practices that keep your mind sharp.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
When asked about the changing landscape of college athletics, Calipari said more regulations need to be put in place, including tougher restrictions on transfers and years that players are able to maintain eligibility.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In September 2024, the city sent the brothers a notice of default — a formal communication when there is a failure to uphold a term of a contract.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Adelman last week rejected that argument and upheld the July recommendation of a magistrate judge who also ruled that the case could proceed.—
Scott Bauer,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justify. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share