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 On the flip side, also justified was the decision to use a freshman, Malachi Toney, in the slot over transfer Tony Johnson, who caught 108 passes in three years at FAU and one at Cincinnati but played just two snaps on offense on Sunday. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 The reaction was limited as investors reasoned that the recent ADP data was weak enough for the Federal Reserve to justify a September rate cut, but not soft enough to herald a recession. Sean Conlon,sarah Min, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 The family's attorney said that nothing can justify the kind of attack that was captured on video. Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Demand could rebound only if the new home market recovers or land prices fall enough to justify new purchases, Krieg said. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for justify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justify
Verb
  • At each camp, the team leaves behind a small but powerful item, a red card that explains what to do during encounters with immigration officials.
    David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The powers that be explained to me that in the audiobook, there would be no easy way to identify the bees’ chapters, which were designated with italics in the printed version, unless the narrator’s voice changed from female to male.
    Elizabeth Bass Parman, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Zara Kocak, Station Camp High The junior swimmer with two state titles to defend traveled to London, England, to compete at the AP International Meet, which brought together the top 52 swimmers in the United States to represent Team USA.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Democrats raised concerns about potential negative impacts on healthcare coverage, while Republicans defended the bill's work requirements for assistance programs.
    Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But that legal reality shouldn’t excuse the behavior.
    Matt Germer, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Listening to these women fawn all over Julia for carrying the laird’s child, for carrying a future king, listening to them excuse away Julia being unmarried, all of it makes Davina blow a fuse.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.
    Data Skrive, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In September 2024, the city sent the brothers a notice of default — a formal communication when there is a failure to uphold a term of a contract.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Adelman last week rejected that argument and upheld the July recommendation of a magistrate judge who also ruled that the case could proceed.
    Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justify. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on justify

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