Thesaurus

justify

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of justify

1 to be an acceptable reason for

you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum

Synonyms of justify

excuse

Words Related to justify

account (for), alibi, explain, explain away, rationalize

brush (aside or off), condone, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, wink (at)

2 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 of justify

defend, maintain, support, uphold

Words Related to justify

advocate, champion, espouse

confirm, vindicate, warrant

affirm, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, insist, plead, proclaim, profess, protest, state

argue, debate, discuss

emphasize, stress, underline, underscore

Phrases Synonymous with justify

stand up for, stick up for

Near Antonyms of justify

abandon, abjure, forsake, recant, retract, take back, withdraw

reverse, switch

controvert, disprove, rebut, refute

Synonym Discussion of justify

maintain, assert, defend, vindicate, justify mean to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable. maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

- steadfastly maintained his innocence

assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

- asserted her rights

defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

- defended his voting record

vindicate implies successfully defending.

- his success vindicated our faith in him

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

Learn More about justify

See words that rhyme with justify Dictionary: Definition of justify Spanish Central: Translation of justify Nglish: Translation of justify for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of justify for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up justify? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

Thesaurus

justify

Synonyms and Antonyms of justify

Synonym Discussion of justify

Learn More about justify

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

insuperable

Enter the Haiku That Can Pay You Contest

Enter the Haiku That Can Pay You Contest

Enter the Haiku That Can Pay You Contest

Enter the Haiku That Can Pay You Contest

On Contractions of Multiple Words