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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of justifies
Every clash justifies the next.
—
Joe Palaggi, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Cole justifies The Fall-Off’s double-disc length by focusing each half on a trip home, at ages 29 and 39, representing two different points in his mission to be the greatest.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Tesla has worked to secure millions in state and local funding for its Semi, while many in the trucking industry question whether the vehicle’s uneven development timeline justifies such heavy public investment.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
At the same time, Maryland has lost approximately 130,000 residents since Moore took office, yet the budget justifies hundreds of millions in housing and community revitalization spending based on population growth assumptions that do not match reality.
—J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Today’s chip valuations have also already priced in years of double-digit growth, so any friction in the buildout justifies short-term selloffs.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
That said, the long experience of governments trying to restrict young people’s access to temptation goods of other kinds—drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, pornography—justifies cautious optimism.
—Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Even the National Rifle Association has rebuked a federal prosecutor who suggested that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Joe Palaggi, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Cole justifies The Fall-Off’s double-disc length by focusing each half on a trip home, at ages 29 and 39, representing two different points in his mission to be the greatest.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Tesla has worked to secure millions in state and local funding for its Semi, while many in the trucking industry question whether the vehicle’s uneven development timeline justifies such heavy public investment.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
At the same time, Maryland has lost approximately 130,000 residents since Moore took office, yet the budget justifies hundreds of millions in housing and community revitalization spending based on population growth assumptions that do not match reality.
—J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Today’s chip valuations have also already priced in years of double-digit growth, so any friction in the buildout justifies short-term selloffs.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
That said, the long experience of governments trying to restrict young people’s access to temptation goods of other kinds—drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, pornography—justifies cautious optimism.
—Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Even the National Rifle Association has rebuked a federal prosecutor who suggested that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifies
Verb
-
Güell’s vision was to build an estate for affluent families—Gaudí planned 60 homes, a market, and gardens inspired by British parks (which explains the English spelling of the Catalan word parc), but the scheme never took off.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
As an Offshore Energy report explains, the agreement included the installation, offshore operations, maintenance, and project engineering for the subsea trencher.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While some critics have dismissed de Jesus' work as simplistic, Evaristo defends her unconventional style.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Somehow, the right to protest became an expression of an ideology that defends criminality.—
Roger Van Zanen,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoman,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The sneaker’s tongue and shoelaces appear to have been given a vintage-esque off-white treatment, and the black toe features a new ripstop material, but the style otherwise maintains the original details of the 1995 Neon colorway.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Can anyone claim that the current policy upholds this principle?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In a league that still recites diversity statements and upholds Rooney Rule interview requirements, no Black head coaches were hired.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifies. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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