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
Two skeptics of the COVID vaccine, who were appointed to administration roles just last month, authored a brief assessment justifying the overhaul.
—
Grayson Logue, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
But the opinion from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel justifying the strikes remains classified.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Whenever the president floated some bizarre policy idea, issued a new threat, or told a brazen lie about the state of the economy, Hassett would be one of the first people on cable news justifying it.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
The authors of the assessment justifying the change, senior officials at the Food and Drug Administration and at HHS, are both long-time critics of the existing vaccine schedule.
—Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Loves a penalty save and is justifying his No 1 status.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Far from apologetic, Reisman had no compunction about justifying his actions.
—Julien Levy, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2025
The accusations served his domestic purposes, stoking nationalist resentment and justifying his pivot toward Moscow.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 22 Dec. 2025
Judge Ellis found that Bovino wasn’t hit in the head with a rock prior to deploying tear gas despite claims from the Department of Homeland Security justifying the use of force.
—Bill Kirkos, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Grayson Logue, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
But the opinion from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel justifying the strikes remains classified.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Whenever the president floated some bizarre policy idea, issued a new threat, or told a brazen lie about the state of the economy, Hassett would be one of the first people on cable news justifying it.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
The authors of the assessment justifying the change, senior officials at the Food and Drug Administration and at HHS, are both long-time critics of the existing vaccine schedule.
—Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Loves a penalty save and is justifying his No 1 status.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Far from apologetic, Reisman had no compunction about justifying his actions.
—Julien Levy, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2025
The accusations served his domestic purposes, stoking nationalist resentment and justifying his pivot toward Moscow.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 22 Dec. 2025
Judge Ellis found that Bovino wasn’t hit in the head with a rock prior to deploying tear gas despite claims from the Department of Homeland Security justifying the use of force.
—Bill Kirkos, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying
Verb
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The dispute was resolved after Singh agreed to provide additional context, explaining that the files were collaborative documents shared among participants through the messaging app Signal.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Scanning them launches video tutorials explaining what each product does — without forcing customers to ask questions in a store.—
Luke Fountain,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Argentina, the defending champion, has expressed interest in setting up its base camp in Kansas City.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
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Alex Condon added 21 points and former Arkansas Razorback Boogie Fland chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the defending national champion Gators, who beat the Bulldogs for the 13th time in their past 14 meetings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There is no excusing his remarks about Childress, whose everyman, never-back-down persona is something with which many fans identify.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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There was also the spat with coach Steve Kerr that resulted in Green excusing himself to the locker room and never returning.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the East Bay, this group brings together community organizations, public agencies and volunteers with the goal of maintaining a healthy, vibrant Oakland.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
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According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections policy, maintaining good personal hygiene, a clean living area and a positive attitude toward staff and other inmates, helps the prisoner advance to a new level.—
Ashlynd Baecht,
The Frontier,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With the global order in flux and the great powers pursuing geopolitical and normative revisionism, there has been much discussion about the role small and middle powers can play in upholding international law and multilateralism.—
Galip Dalay,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
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But upholding the rule of law also means making sure there are consequences for those who undermine it.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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