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
The business momentum is clear here, justifying the stock’s strong performance over the past four to five weeks.
—
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Perhaps the Thunder would see the upside of a SGA-Giannis-J-Dub core as justifying the risk of cutting down their depth to that extent.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Pilgrims describe Hajj as a once-in-a-lifetime obligation that transcends politics, justifying high costs, logistical headaches and security fears.
—Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Questions remain about how SpaceX is justifying its astronomical valuation.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 May 2026
In the evening, Nora’s coworkers Estelle (Servanne Ducorps) and Kim (Tatia Tsuladze) arrive, justifying a stretch of awkward play-acting on behalf of Nora and her family.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 May 2026
Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
Military technology has become more sophisticated, but the minds justifying its use are stuck in the past.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Perhaps the Thunder would see the upside of a SGA-Giannis-J-Dub core as justifying the risk of cutting down their depth to that extent.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Pilgrims describe Hajj as a once-in-a-lifetime obligation that transcends politics, justifying high costs, logistical headaches and security fears.
—Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Questions remain about how SpaceX is justifying its astronomical valuation.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 May 2026
In the evening, Nora’s coworkers Estelle (Servanne Ducorps) and Kim (Tatia Tsuladze) arrive, justifying a stretch of awkward play-acting on behalf of Nora and her family.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 May 2026
Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
Military technology has become more sophisticated, but the minds justifying its use are stuck in the past.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying
Verb
-
Narula discussed the potential links between GLP-1s and breast cancer, explaining that after menopause, fat cells produce estrogen throughout the body, and higher levels of estrogen could translate to a higher risk of breast cancer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
After taking fans along to a series of appointments, Mellencamp posted a video of her doctor explaining the status of her disease.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs knocked off the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals en route to their first finals appearance since winning the title in 2014.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
In the first trailer for Adam Wingard’s Onslaught, Adria Arjona plays a young mother and veteran defending her adorable child and trailer park community from an army of what appear to be glowing-eyed super-soldiers built like pro wrestlers.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Rather than prompting examination of the systems in which those outcomes occur, a common counterargument is that attention to diversity risks lowering standards or excusing poor performance.—
Vanessa Grubbs,
STAT,
1 June 2026
-
After excusing herself briefly from the conversation, Patricia returns to find the other guests whispering to Shelby about Patricia’s history of dishonesty about almost being a Boogeyman victim.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In simulations, ArrayLink supported up to four simultaneous spatial streams at distances of hundreds of kilometers, while maintaining two streams beyond 2,000 km (1,243 miles).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
-
Since 2021, Solana Beach has also participated in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge to support monarch butterflies by maintaining a pollinator garden at City Hall.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
There are few guidelines on how to deal with rumors while upholding conventional values of accuracy, verification, and transparency.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
-
About 1 in 3 states didn’t even employ one staffer whose full-time job was to ensure that nonprofit funds were properly managed and that people in their states who ran nonprofits were upholding their financial and ethical duties, according to the survey.—
Sarah Webber,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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