1
as in explains
to be an acceptable reason for
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
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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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Recent Examples of justifies
Satisfy gets a lot of flack for its prices, but this running jacket justifies the price tag thanks to its effective modularity and (extremely) lightweight design.
—
Will Porter, Outside, 4 Jan. 2026
While there are legitimate concerns throughout the Midwest about future reliability due to new data centers and their substantial power consumption, there is no looming emergency that justifies the administration’s action here.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
This bout of judicial activism justifies itself as reconciliation.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2025
Transparency builds the trust that justifies the price.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2025
And the interpretation of this, that if maybe there were still drugs somewhere on that boat, that justifies the use of deadly force is an incredible expansion of presidential power.
—ABC News, 7 Dec. 2025
However, the white paper justifies China's development of missile defense capabilities, saying it is motivated solely by self-defense and does not target any country or region.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
In Wisconsin, a clerk may ask couples to provide their religious affiliation that justifies self-solemnization.
—Jacob Wilt, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Lawsuits require time, documentation and money, so debt collectors generally weigh whether the amount owed justifies the effort.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Will Porter, Outside, 4 Jan. 2026
While there are legitimate concerns throughout the Midwest about future reliability due to new data centers and their substantial power consumption, there is no looming emergency that justifies the administration’s action here.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
This bout of judicial activism justifies itself as reconciliation.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2025
Transparency builds the trust that justifies the price.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2025
And the interpretation of this, that if maybe there were still drugs somewhere on that boat, that justifies the use of deadly force is an incredible expansion of presidential power.
—ABC News, 7 Dec. 2025
However, the white paper justifies China's development of missile defense capabilities, saying it is motivated solely by self-defense and does not target any country or region.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
In Wisconsin, a clerk may ask couples to provide their religious affiliation that justifies self-solemnization.
—Jacob Wilt, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Lawsuits require time, documentation and money, so debt collectors generally weigh whether the amount owed justifies the effort.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifies
Verb
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But as Lilly explains to Ronnie, telling the truth now won’t do anything to absolve Hank — everyone already thinks Lilly is crazy.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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At the train station when Kelley is about to depart, Howie explains his backstory to keep Kelley from leaving.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Reyes defends pay, confirms residency During the meeting, CBS News Miami asked about the nearly half-million-dollar salary attached to the position.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Because the anti-Trump side defends the rule of law, it can be drawn into legalistic objections that sound pettifogging and irrelevant.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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Gonzales has pleaded not guilty and his legal team maintains he's being scapegoated.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This upholds an earlier injunction from Jackson to ensure the agency would continue to exist as congressionally mandated, and to stop efforts to shutter the CFPB, including through layoffs.—
Stephan Bisaha,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
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If the Court upholds the rules, the existing anti-corruption framework remains intact.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifies. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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