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
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Who can claim this jumble of junior-varsity field hockey teams, center-justified poetry, and polyester tux jackets as their intellectual property?
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Given that recent injury history, Giolito would have been justified taking the higher-value one-year deal in hopes of building up his value for another crack at free agency next year.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justified
Adjective
If the current fiscal package is estimated to not only cover its costs but grow the economy too, the path is justified, argued Zandi.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Who can claim this jumble of junior-varsity field hockey teams, center-justified poetry, and polyester tux jackets as their intellectual property?
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, there is increasing skepticism about whether the enormous amounts of money being spent on AI will be justified.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Given that recent injury history, Giolito would have been justified taking the higher-value one-year deal in hopes of building up his value for another crack at free agency next year.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justified
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justified
Adjective
-
Relative to the starting pitcher market, his contract -- he is owed $28 million combined over the next two seasons with a club option for 2028 -- is reasonable.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The pop punk icon confirmed a slate of upcoming shows for next year on Monday, along with efforts to ensure tickets get in actual fans’ hands for a reasonable price, rather than to resellers who will hawk them at major markups to those who missed out during the initial on-sale.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Well done, mate, well deserved.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Can that work in the big leagues, where the manager is usually a glorified PR staffer who talks to the media and takes the blame (deserved or not) for losses?—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The organization explained that the shelter avoids labeling dogs by breed to help reduce breed bias, which can negatively affect adoption rates, especially for pit bull-type mixes.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Wang explained that integrating thermal management directly into the battery reduces space, power consumption, and maintenance needs.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Just over a minute later, Kuzma tried to toss Antetokounmpo another alley-oop, but the Bulls defended it well and took away the rim.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Quagliano has repeatedly denied that and defended the bank’s aircraft business as profitable.—
Justin Wingerter,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The ledger is the foundation of reasoned conclusion.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The differences between any given Grokipedia and Wikipedia entry are in some sense hard to debate because there is no shared ground upon which to have a reasoned disagreement; to gravitate toward Grokipedia is to leave the world of evidence for that of belief.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The fumble, of course, cannot be excused, but Henderson's development is essential to the Patriots fulfilling the best version of their offense.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
After Politico reported that Young Republicans expressed outrageously racist, misogynistic and anti-Semitic sentiments, Vice President JD Vance excused it as just the edgy chat of young activists.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Over the next decade, Wuornos grew increasingly religious and maintained correspondence with Australian artist Jasmine Hirst, whose letters and interviews appear throughout the documentary.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Magic maintained a 59-51 lead at half, but Boston pulled even early in the third after Minott drew a foul on an aggressive crash, and Pritchard picked Bane’s pocket and canned a three.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Not even a meta ending that pushes that idea to its logical breaking point can sour you on it.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
To be fair, public entities have been stretching public records trade secret exceptions to logical extremes long before college athletes started getting paid—and these carve-outs are often intended to be permissive.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justified. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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