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

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

These figures are considerable for a hardware enterprise, justifying a high valuation. — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 7 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

In this world view, Ukraine has been seen as the principal platform for implementing this anti-Russian project, including the potential deployment of NATO military bases and missile systems capable of reaching Moscow within minutes, as Putin has said, justifying the war. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 June 2026

Sheetz’s attorney, Brian Hodges of the Pacific Legal Foundation, said the county’s rationale for the fee is that new housing projects spark commercial development and increase the need for road work, justifying a different fee structure for each development type. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026

But Adraee has been accused of justifying the killing of some journalists. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026