1
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information
in a well-justified ruling the court voted unanimously to overturn the law
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deserved
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
the use of force to capture the armed fugitive was fully justified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in explained
to be an acceptable reason for
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in defended
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 justified
Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 24 July 2025
Jurors can’t agree on verdict after reviewing evidence Whether the shooting was reasonable and justified confounded the jury.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
Graeme Taskerud, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
The record signing has justified his hefty price tag with goals (eight), assists (four) and a high work rate out of possession across 32 appearances.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justified
Adjective
Despite his 26 goals propelling United to their last league title in 2012-13, the Glazers’ concerns were financially justified, with Van Persie sold to Fenerbahce for just £4million after three seasons.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 24 July 2025
Jurors can’t agree on verdict after reviewing evidence Whether the shooting was reasonable and justified confounded the jury.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
Verb
Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke determined the officers were justified in their use of force and cleared them in November 2021 for firing back at Miller, according to the news release.
—Graeme Taskerud, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
The record signing has justified his hefty price tag with goals (eight), assists (four) and a high work rate out of possession across 32 appearances.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justified
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justified
Adjective
-
Regardless of what the future holds, Roman Anthony has set himself and his family up for life, and the Red Sox have locked in yet another piece of their future at a reasonable rate.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
There’s a reasonable fear, especially considering what happened the last time Cunningham mentioned the trend, that this would only attract additional misogynistic attacks.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Pritzker could take executive action and grant Hoover his much awaited and deserved freedom.—
Jeremy Busby,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Well, almost: Colman Domingo picks up the lone nom in the Supporting Actor category, which, frankly, is well deserved.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Another teacher explained to me that I can be paid 50% of my husband’s Social Security benefit instead.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The new exemption for technology can be partially explained by the how the supply chain works, but also reinforces where the greatest pain will be felt.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This rivalry continued into Survivor Series 2012, where Punk defended his title in a triple threat match against Ryback and John Cena.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Schumer defended his stance, acknowledging the bill's flaws but arguing that a government shutdown would be worse.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The defense firm maintained that the program is an opportunity to align with the Dutch government’s policy of support and empowerment of strategic national industries.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Cool-season lawns maintained at 3 to 4 inches tall have deeper root systems that are better able to withstand adverse conditions, such as drought.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The only way to make it to Hell without dying, though, is to master a series of logical paradoxes, and the rules governing this fictional underworld rely on both magic and a faint grasp of Plato and Aristotle.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
-
There were moments when raising capital felt like the logical next step, especially when competitors were announcing multimillion-dollar rounds.—
Prashant Puri,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As Reuters reports, Indonesia's Ministry of Industry has upheld its ban on the iPhone 16 because Apple has yet to meet its domestic content rules.—
Jibin Joseph,
PCMAG,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Other coalitions are arguing the ban should be upheld, including former national security officials, former officials at the Federal Communications Commission and activist groups that advocate on behalf of the Uyghur people, people in Hong Kong and others against the Chinese government.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Foreigners with valid visas are entitled to the same public health care access and treatments as Italian citizens.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The website links back to a Florida Boating Temporary Certificate—valid for up to 90 days with a $9.99 price tag.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justified. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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