Synonym Chooser

How does the verb justify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of justify are assert, defend, maintain, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

When might assert be a better fit than justify?

The synonyms assert and justify are sometimes interchangeable, but assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

In what contexts can defend take the place of justify?

The words defend and justify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

When would maintain be a good substitute for justify?

While in some cases nearly identical to justify, maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

When is it sensible to use vindicate instead of justify?

In some situations, the words vindicate and justify are roughly equivalent. However, vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of justify Then again, nostalgia is rarely required to justify itself, as Just Like Heaven made clear. Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025 Parliament enacted the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679, which was meant to ensure that the king released prisoners when the law did not justify confining them. Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025 Reports indicate that some Republican senators have been weighing whether eliminating the California rules justifies breaking that norm. Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025 The Guardians didn’t feel Gimenez offered enough offense to justify his long-term contract, which becomes increasingly expensive. Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for justify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justify
Verb
  • About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Gilroy also explains Cassian's nod to the Force Healer. Poor, poor, poor Dedra.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles will be featured prominently during the 2025 NFL season.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Scheffler, the world No. 1, and defending PGA champion Schauffele had plenty to say about mud balls on tee shots, particularly on the 16th hole that sent both to double bogey.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Cook County Judge Angela Petrone ordered the juror, who appeared to recover, excused and subbed in one of the alternates.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • Without excusing Weinstein’s thuggish qualities for a second, Evans was never the physical caricature of the studio exec.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Final Thoughts Eufy Robot Lawn Mower E18 4.0 Excellent The Eufy Robot Lawn Mower E18 should eliminate most of the manual labor required to maintain your yard.
    Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 10 May 2025
  • The last four shows have mostly maintained the same set list, including her beloved throwback hits.
    Caché McClay, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • After facing legal challenges, a revised version of the ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
    Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
  • The Founding Fathers, having witnessed the abuses of centralized power under British rule, embedded this model into the Constitution to ensure a system of checks and balances, where each branch could limit the powers of the others, safeguarding against tyranny and upholding the rule of law.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justify. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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