Synonyms of justify

justify

verb

ˈjə-stə-ˌfī 

1

as in to explain

to be an acceptable reason for

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explain
• excuse
• ignore
• rationalize
• account (for)
• alibi
• condone
• forgive
• explain away
• disregard
• brush (aside or off)
• pass over
• pardon
• gloss (over)
• wink (at)
• shrug off
• remit
• gloze (over)

2

as in to defend

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 & Similar Words

• defend
• maintain
• uphold
• support
• advocate
• assert
• affirm
• proclaim
• confirm
• stand up for
• stick up for
• discuss
• vindicate
• argue
• insist
• plead
• emphasize
• claim
• contend
• warrant
• espouse
• protest
• state
• profess
• aver
• debate
• champion
• underscore
• underline
• avow
• stress
• avouch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdraw
• abandon
• forsake
• retract
• take back
• reverse
• switch
• refute
• disprove
• recant
• rebut
• abjure
• controvert

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

Recent Examples of justify

Despite being a pretty great animated sitcom in its own right, Dispatch will need to quickly start leaning further into its immersive elements to justify its place (and price tag) among a crowded streaming landscape. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025

The new arena would immediately become the area’s premier destination for games and concerts that are not big enough to justify opening the doors at AT&T Stadium. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025

The Kremlin is eager for a broader diplomatic deal that re-establishes its international heft to justify its role in global institutions like the UN, the Center for European Policy Analysis wrote. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025

Taylor Wolfe believes the mismatch between capital expenditures and profit potential makes current valuations difficult to justify. —Yun Li, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025