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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of justifying
Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass said there was no emergency justifying the military.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 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Currently, this outcome has been replaced by large numbers of public employees justifying their existence.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, 3 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
-
The film opens just as its predecessor ended, with a handy recap explaining how Ne Zha and his angelic counterpart, Ao Bing, ended up in need of bodily reincarnation.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Amorim has been clearer and more consistent in explaining his tactical ideas and vision for the future.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The law currently gives prosecutors too much leverage in the courtroom and pressures defendants to take a plea deal over defending themselves at trial, Preston said.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
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South Korea estimates that some 2,000 North Korean troops died defending Kursk against a cross-border incursion by Ukraine.—
Robert Birsel
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This doesn’t mean excusing harmful behavior.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Best known for its $48 Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, the brand has swiftly become a Gen Alpha favorite all while maintaining the loyalty of its longtime Gen Z and Millennial fan bases.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
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The nonprofit is a neutral, global collaboration platform for developing and maintaining its own standards, such as DPP.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The administration contends the law is unconstitutional, asserting an expansive view of presidential power that could prompt the Supreme Court to overturn what remains of its 90-year-old precedent upholding such removal protections.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
8 Sep. 2025
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Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles and Jaden Robinson struggled to balance spying the mobile USF signal caller with upholding UF’s zone coverage on crossing routes.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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