Synonyms of justified

justified 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjə-stə-ˌfīd 

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

• reasonable
• reasoned
• logical
• valid
• good
• rational
• sensible
• informed
• well-founded
• true
• hard
• solid
• just
• plausible
• validated
• firm
• commonsense
• sober
• commonsensical
• real
• actual
• commonsensible
• credible
• convincing
• levelheaded
• confirmed
• substantiated
• sure
• certain
• certified
• corroborated
• verified
• cogent
• colorable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unreasonable
• unjustified
• irrational
• unfounded
• illogical
• invalid
• groundless
• uninformed
• unsound
• unwarranted
• nonsensical
• nonrational
• unsupported
• unsubstantiated
• weak
• unreasoned
• implausible
• unconvincing
• nonvalid
• flimsy
• misguided
• false
• fallacious
• misled

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

• deserved
• due
• competent
• warranted
• merited
• rightful
• legal
• legitimate
• appropriate
• suitable
• just
• proper
• right
• fair
• condign
• applicable
• fitting
• lawful
• meet
• strict
• correct
• apt
• equitable
• requisite
• accurate
• true
• fit
• stringent
• impartial
• uncompromising
• square
• rhadamanthine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfair
• unjustified
• unjust
• unwarranted
• undue
• irrelevant
• unreasonable
• undeserved
• incorrect
• improper
• inappropriate
• unjustifiable
• inapplicable
• incoherent
• unmerited
• unsuitable
• partial
• indefensible
• unequal
• biased
• arbitrary
• inequitable
• unlawful
• irrelative
• inapt
• despotic
• illegitimate
• inapposite

justified

2 of 2

verb

past tense of justify

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

• explained
• excused
• ignored
• rationalized
• accounted (for)
• condoned
• explained away
• disregarded
• alibied
• pardoned
• winked (at)
• brushed (aside or off)
• forgave
• passed over
• remitted
• shrugged off
• glossed (over)
• glozed (over)

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

• defended
• maintained
• upheld
• supported
• advocated
• asserted
• affirmed
• proclaimed
• confirmed
• discussed
• vindicated
• stuck up for
• stood up for
• stated
• argued
• insisted
• championed
• claimed
• warranted
• pleaded
• contended
• emphasized
• protested
• espoused
• averred
• professed
• debated
• underscored
• avowed
• underlined
• stressed
• avouched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandoned
• withdrew
• retracted
• reversed
• forsook
• switched
• recanted
• took back
• refuted
• rebutted
• disproved
• abjured
• controverted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of justified

Adjective

Longer life offsets costs The researchers also examined whether the additional electronics could be economically justified. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026

When a team, industry, or organization is struggling, pessimism can feel justified—and even useful as a protective shield against false hopes. — Harvard Business Review, 22 Sep. 2026

Verb

Reopening means asking whether the conditions that justified a decision still hold. — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Javier Herbello, and Officer Dorian Acosta were legally justified in using deadly force in connection with the June 14, 2025, incident. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026