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 The frustration women feel is real and justified. Vanessa Bennett, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025 Presidents routinely rely on AUMFs to justify unilateral military action. Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025 Somehow, the upper hand never lingers long with Sally and Barnaby, drolly played by Gunning and Corden as a conniving Tweedledee and Tweedledum, loyal to no one and convinced their venality is justified by their father’s history of terrible parenting. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 Trump justified both sets of tariffs - as well as more recent tariffs - under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Dietrich Knauth, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for justify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justify
Verb
  • Here, Renzi explains how long the doc was in the works, why family members didn’t participate, and how Marco of all people helped Sheen to get off crack.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
  • At a time when contentious words dominate our conversations—think insurrection and fascism and fake news and woke—the need for dictionaries to chronicle and explain language, and serve as its watchdog, has never been greater.
    Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Tesla spent years defending, ultimately successfully, its 2016 acquisition of Solar City, Musk’s struggling clean-energy company.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Acosta defended the deal with Epstein in a news conference four days after the multi-millionaire's arrest.
    James Hill, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • It was announced by the Vikings head coach that McCarthy was excused due to being at the hospital with his fiancée to welcome the arrival of his baby boy.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Likewise, with cameras on the trains in Charlotte, the public could be excused for wondering why there wasn’t a more immediate response after the event.
    Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This means regularly assessing your thinking skills, consciously choosing when to engage versus delegate mental tasks, and maintaining practices that keep your mind sharp.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • When asked about the changing landscape of college athletics, Calipari said more regulations need to be put in place, including tougher restrictions on transfers and years that players are able to maintain eligibility.
    Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After a lengthy review, the call was upheld.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • In August, an appeals court upheld Chen’s original order.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justify. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on justify

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