Synonyms of justifying

justifying

verb

present participle of justify

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

• explaining
• excusing
• ignoring
• rationalizing
• accounting (for)
• condoning
• disregarding
• alibiing
• forgiving
• brushing (aside or off)
• explaining away
• winking (at)
• pardoning
• passing over
• remitting
• glossing (over)
• shrugging off
• glozing (over)

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

• defending
• maintaining
• upholding
• supporting
• advocating
• asserting
• affirming
• proclaiming
• discussing
• confirming
• insisting
• championing
• vindicating
• stating
• arguing
• sticking up for
• pleading
• claiming
• protesting
• standing up for
• emphasizing
• debating
• espousing
• contending
• warranting
• professing
• averring
• stressing
• underscoring
• underlining
• avowing
• avouching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandoning
• withdrawing
• retracting
• forsaking
• reversing
• switching
• taking back
• refuting
• recanting
• abjuring
• disproving
• rebutting
• controverting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of justifying

Organizations that approach agentic AI this way build foundational capabilities that span dozens of workflows and shift the ROI conversation from justifying each agent individually to achieving compounding returns across the enterprise. — Joe Locandro, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Another issue is the characterization of the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program, which the White House cited in justifying the travel restrictions. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

The lawyer representing his family, Benjamin Gideon, said on July 16 that Guerrero had never been accused of a crime and there were no reports of any threat to safety justifying the officers' presence the morning he was shot. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 July 2026

The practice is so unusual that an internal waiver justifying the choice is typically required. — Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 July 2026

Kennedy made the changes unilaterally rather than going through a panel of experts, as has long been standard, and Spear wrote the accompanying report justifying the changes, according to three people familiar with the process. — CNN Money, 16 July 2026

And yet at the start of the Mass, a priest read aloud a statement justifying the consecrations as a necessary defense of the faith and criticizing how the Catholic Church today had deviated from tradition. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

This looser-fitting top sits right at the waistband and is made of a durable nylon and elastane blend that resists wear and tear (justifying the price point). — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026

Musk’s position that his two top holdings share a common AI vision gives him cover for justifying a deal. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 22 June 2026