1
as in explaining
to be an acceptable reason for
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in defending
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of justifying
Husband-chef and wife-farmer duo Kyle and Katina Connaughton are culinary dynamos who create pure magic on every plate served at SingleThread, more than justifying the lengthy waitlist for reservations.
—
Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
In justifying the need for the county’s investment, county Commissioner Andrew Sommerman noted the burden homeless individuals are placing on the jail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s buses and trains, and the Parkland Hospital emergency department.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Dodgers’ record-breaking spending has delivered consecutive World Series titles and more than $1 billion in annual revenue, justifying their aggressive payroll approach.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The Paramount lawsuit argues that artificially undervaluing those linear cable assets could make WBD appear weaker, thereby justifying a lower enterprise valuation and acquisition price.
—Corey Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The business judgment rule is not a blank check justifying every HOA action.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Although the law has been flouted repeatedly and its purpose has not been achieved, presidents have filed reports justifying their actions by using loopholes in the text.
—Sandeep Gopalan, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2026
Discretion is not absolute The BJR is not a blank check justifying every HOA action.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Ryan, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound freshman from White Bear Lake, stopped 22 shots, including a dozen during the third period, justifying coach Mark Strobel’s faith in returning him to the net after starts against Edina and equally powerful Moorhead earlier this month resulted in a loss and a tie.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
In justifying the need for the county’s investment, county Commissioner Andrew Sommerman noted the burden homeless individuals are placing on the jail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s buses and trains, and the Parkland Hospital emergency department.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Dodgers’ record-breaking spending has delivered consecutive World Series titles and more than $1 billion in annual revenue, justifying their aggressive payroll approach.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The Paramount lawsuit argues that artificially undervaluing those linear cable assets could make WBD appear weaker, thereby justifying a lower enterprise valuation and acquisition price.
—Corey Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The business judgment rule is not a blank check justifying every HOA action.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Although the law has been flouted repeatedly and its purpose has not been achieved, presidents have filed reports justifying their actions by using loopholes in the text.
—Sandeep Gopalan, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2026
Discretion is not absolute The BJR is not a blank check justifying every HOA action.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Ryan, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound freshman from White Bear Lake, stopped 22 shots, including a dozen during the third period, justifying coach Mark Strobel’s faith in returning him to the net after starts against Edina and equally powerful Moorhead earlier this month resulted in a loss and a tie.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying
Verb
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Therefore, telling the story in graphic form on behalf of Ukrainians themselves, explaining the preconditions for Russia’s attempts to erase Ukraine as a sovereign country and Ukrainians as an ethnic group, became extremely relevant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Nicotine use had the strongest impact on heart health, explaining 34% of the link between late bedtime and heart disease.—
Dr. Joseph Wendt,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Newcastle face the toughest task, playing defending European champions PSG in Paris knowing even a win won’t guarantee them a top-eight spot because of goal difference potentially coming into play.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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But Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has refused to budge, defending blue slips as a core component of the Senate’s constitutional role in providing advice and consent.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But there’s no excusing Josh Allen’s four turnovers.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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This isn’t about excusing others for poor behavior.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An 80-year-old Haverhill accountant pleaded guilty in Essex Superior Court Friday to charges of maintaining a house of prostitution, and possession with intent to distribute charges for suboxone, gabapentin, and marijuana, as well as a fentanyl possession charge.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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However, Ederheimer added that mandatory minimum sentences may not actually encourage violent offenders not to commit crimes, further adding to the complex balance of maintaining justice and community safety.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In upholding Sjostrom’s ruling on the non-resident petition gatherers issue, the appeals court offered similar reasoning as in its decision about the inactive-voters issue.—
Jim Saunders,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
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Since 1972, the Kerrville Folk Festival has been upholding the spirit of grassroots Texas music camaraderie.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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