1
as in explains
to be an acceptable reason for
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in defends
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 justifies
The bulls claim that trend justifies today’s valuations, and that EPS can keep rolling in double-digits while national income trudges at a nominal 5% or so.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
For those willing to make the trip, the standard of care justifies every mile.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Fresh runs of shallow crappies aren’t selective, though heavy fishing pressure justifies smaller baits, particularly natural-colored baits in plain black and brown hues.
—Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
That moment of ancient knowing justifies the journey to this remote location.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
However, that hardly justifies a $100 increase over last year’s model, which had the same display and memory.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026
To me, what this justifies is more responsible behavior by social platforms to cut down on their most harmful features.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
What is, in most cases, an individual choice made by adults does not, by itself, constitute a clinical problem that justifies federal correction.
—Cláudia Nunes, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The realist view is that NASA wants to fly a nuclear reactor as soon as possible, and the Mars launch window justifies the aggressive development schedule (and commensurate funding) to appropriators.
—David W. Brown, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
For those willing to make the trip, the standard of care justifies every mile.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Fresh runs of shallow crappies aren’t selective, though heavy fishing pressure justifies smaller baits, particularly natural-colored baits in plain black and brown hues.
—Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
That moment of ancient knowing justifies the journey to this remote location.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
However, that hardly justifies a $100 increase over last year’s model, which had the same display and memory.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026
To me, what this justifies is more responsible behavior by social platforms to cut down on their most harmful features.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
What is, in most cases, an individual choice made by adults does not, by itself, constitute a clinical problem that justifies federal correction.
—Cláudia Nunes, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The realist view is that NASA wants to fly a nuclear reactor as soon as possible, and the Mars launch window justifies the aggressive development schedule (and commensurate funding) to appropriators.
—David W. Brown, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifies
Verb
-
Mike Jones of The Athletic explains why the lack of top-tier quarterback prospects beyond Fernando Mendoza limits the intrigue typically expected of NFL drafts.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
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Each mural is accompanied by a link to the project’s website, which explains its mission and provides background on and pictures of each plant species featured in the murals.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Matriarchy is a force that protects and defends, a force blunted and downgraded at every turn.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
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This support among white Christian voters has held since the 2024 election, with two-thirds of white evangelicals saying Trump defends people with religious beliefs similar to theirs, according to a Pew poll released Thursday.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The department maintains a library that gets no visitors most weeks.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The Tribune maintains editorial control over assignments and content.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the Supreme Court upholds the order, Cruz said, families are bracing for the possibility that the government could attempt to revisit the citizenship of children born during that interim period—a scenario that would almost certainly prompt further legal challenges.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Apr. 2026
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Luvme exclusively offers three tiers, beginning at 3-star and above, because tiers 1 and 2 fall below the quality and performance standards this brand upholds.—
Noel Cymone Walker,
StyleCaster,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifies. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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