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
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Recent Examples of justifying
The Pentagon hasn't released information publicly justifying the destruction of the boat.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Bob felt that Clark Gilmer was 'justifying the harm' done to trans people in her comments about King.
—EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
One of the report's key authors has a lengthy record of bias against Israel, including openly justifying the Houthi terrorist attacks on Israeli civilian targets.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025
This strategic move has fundamentally reshaped how investors perceive the company, justifying the higher multiples in their minds.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In the final vote, all 73 Center Party parliamentarians capitulated, justifying their surrender as a necessary evil to save the party.
—Daniel Ziblatt, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
Currently, this outcome has been replaced by large numbers of public employees justifying their existence.
—Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
In May, Kennedy announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend routine COVID-19 shots for healthy children due to a lack of clinical data justifying the need for annual vaccinations against the virus.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025
In justifying the redistricting, Missouri Republicans accused neighboring Illinois of rigging its maps and pointed to a draft proposal circulating in California.
—Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Bob felt that Clark Gilmer was 'justifying the harm' done to trans people in her comments about King.
—EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
One of the report's key authors has a lengthy record of bias against Israel, including openly justifying the Houthi terrorist attacks on Israeli civilian targets.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025
This strategic move has fundamentally reshaped how investors perceive the company, justifying the higher multiples in their minds.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In the final vote, all 73 Center Party parliamentarians capitulated, justifying their surrender as a necessary evil to save the party.
—Daniel Ziblatt, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
Currently, this outcome has been replaced by large numbers of public employees justifying their existence.
—Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
In May, Kennedy announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend routine COVID-19 shots for healthy children due to a lack of clinical data justifying the need for annual vaccinations against the virus.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025
In justifying the redistricting, Missouri Republicans accused neighboring Illinois of rigging its maps and pointed to a draft proposal circulating in California.
—Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying
Verb
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Police took Taddese’s phone and vehicle as evidence, which alarmed the family, Bernard said, explaining some of the family’s reservations about the police investigation.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
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About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That means rejecting attempts to restrict voting access, defending safe and accessible election systems, and demanding that lawmakers champion pro-voter policies that expand access—like automatic voter registration and nationwide early voting.—
Hannah Fried,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
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Its once press-shy board chair, Robyn Denholm, has been making the rounds over the past week, defending the up-to-$1 trillion pay package awarded to the billionaire CEO.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Procedures for excusing or deferring jury duty differs by county, according to the state’s judicial website.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
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Ans suggests, before politely excusing himself to go do pre-race pull-ups with his brother in the woods across the street.—
Abe Beame,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This kind of continuous monitoring is critical for developing and maintaining climate models.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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For many companies, the greatest challenge isn't significant changes themselves, but weathering several simultaneously while maintaining business as usual.—
James Manto,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In other words, the leaders need to be the leaders while upholding the standards set forth by the coaching staff – a staff that had offseason turnover limited to one full-timer – while educating and guiding the younger players.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Earlier this year, Barrett and Chief Justice John Roberts, who is also conservative, joined liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson in a ruling upholding a lower court order that unfroze $2 billion in foreign aid.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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