JUSTIFYING Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

justifying

verb

Definition of justifying next

present participle of justify

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

Relevance

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of justifying Smith, the leading kratom researcher, has said the emphasis on semisynthetic 7-OH is odd because there is no evidence justifying it, and because the natural kratom alkaloid mitragynine still converts to 7-OH during manufacturing and in the body. —

Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026 For CFOs, the challenge is justifying AI spending before returns are visible. —

Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026 While report language is not enforceable by law, it is commonly used as leverage that signals congressional intent and puts agencies on notice — those that ignore it risk a harder time justifying their budgets to the same committee next year. —

Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026 Sheeran inserted language into the Medicaid settlement justifying the $10 million diversion on the grounds that the Hope Florida program would be expanding into Medicaid. —

Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 In justifying the bilateral talks, the Cuban president cited the country’s energy collapse, noting that some areas have gone more than 30 hours without power. —

Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026 Lee is justifying concentrating the funds in Oakland, given the city carries the majority of the county’s homelessness population. —

Kate Talerico, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026 Violence in the backcountry between Americans and Native people intensified, fueled by rhetoric justifying atrocities and the expulsion of Indigenous nations to address Americans’ demand for new land. —

Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026 Fighting for its survival, Iran has the capacity to choke fossil-fuel markets by launching sporadic attacks on passing tankers, enough to deter companies and their insurers from justifying that risk. —

Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying

Verb

Board member David Young suggested the county could devise some kind of explanation or message on the county’s website explaining the reason for the changes, and Gumz asked Lasky to come up with language for a potential disclaimer for the website to be considered by the committee.

— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
When asked about the defective cameras in the jail and the lack of a clear timeline explaining how Epstein was able to take his own life, Blanche acknowledged mistakes.

— Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026