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

Different fandoms may debate whether the shots fired there are justified, but Bridgers is kind of taking one at herself here, too, amid all the no-love-lost. — Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026

Despite the reforms, the NYPD’s federal monitor has repeatedly said that even when officers conduct a legally justified stop, the subsequent frisk or more invasive search is too often not justified. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

In the letters, the man justified the attacks on the power grid as part of the fight against fossil fuels. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

The United States gave the jihadi cause new energy with its 2003 invasion of Iraq, a war justified in part by the need to confront terrorism. — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026