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
Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
President Volodymyr Zelensky called the long-range strikes ‘entirely justified’ retaliation for Russian assaults on Kyiv, as Moscow reported intercepting more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones over its territory and occupied Crimea.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Philip Wang, Time, 28 May 2026
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma could have easily justified a slot in the main competition, but there was something fitting about its place at the start of Cannes’ showcase for emerging talent.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for justified
Adjective
Rarely has there been such a poorly justified fantasy, promoting a number of claims loaded with hogwash.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
President Volodymyr Zelensky called the long-range strikes ‘entirely justified’ retaliation for Russian assaults on Kyiv, as Moscow reported intercepting more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones over its territory and occupied Crimea.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Verb
Republicans in Tennessee have maintained that the move to eliminate the last Democratic district in the state was justified following the Supreme Court ruling.
—Philip Wang, Time, 28 May 2026
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma could have easily justified a slot in the main competition, but there was something fitting about its place at the start of Cannes’ showcase for emerging talent.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for justified
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justified
Adjective
-
Those deductible expenses generally include reasonable costs of moving household goods and personal effects, plus travel and lodging for the move, but not meals.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
As New York looks forward, however, what are reasonable power expectations for Lindor, Bichette and Polanco, and for Marcus Semien, whose home run totals have dropped from 29 to 23 to 15 to a pace for 12 this year?—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Her new friends include Sam (Bianca Dumais), a rock-chick type who’s the same age as Franny and who has developed a reputation for promiscuity around town that doesn’t seem deserved.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
25 May 2026
-
Trai Hume gives Sunderland the lead against Chelsea Sunderland dominate the first quarter of this match and take a deserved lead in the 25th minute via Trai Hume.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
What the administration has not explained is how school districts would replace the lost revenue.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2026
-
In practice, Teng explained, this means customers will soon be able to create a synthetic version of certain stocks by converting them into a digital token on the company’s BNB blockchain.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
But Valli defended his decision to stay on the road.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026
-
Lawmakers publicly defended the observatory.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Casey Schmitt can be excused for failing to catch Ketel Marte’s fifth-inning fly ball during the Giants’ 6-2 loss Monday.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
-
Given the profusion of riad tourist accommodation in Marrakech, you’d be excused for thinking the buildings originated as hotels.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Another in 2024 accused the company of failing to keep equipment properly maintained and for failing to report a breakdown in a blending kettle, records show.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Yet that is not down to Guimaraes; the Brazilian has maintained his standards and, to a degree, somehow arguably even raised them.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps licensing the traits and voices of those characters is the next logical step.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
-
With Jordyn Brooks entrenched as Miami’s starting weak-side linebacker, a logical hypothesis is that Rodriguez and Dodson are competing to see who starts next to the NFL’s leading tackler.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justified. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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