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

Former grand mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, an Assad loyalist who was vocally in support of the government's policies, was convicted of inciting violence and justifying murder. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

The second, less visible but arguably more consequential, is that the capability gap justifying dependence on closed frontier labs has nearly disappeared. — Pawel Rzeszucinski, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Only medical reasons can be used in justifying concurrent surrogacy, and a qualified physician must attest to them in writing. — Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

Some hailed McDonnell as an Anna Delvey-type scammer, justifying her brazen ripoff of faceless lenders by scoffing at the idea that society should feel sympathy for giant corporate entities. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is the most capable smartwatch in Samsung's lineup, justifying its premium price with massive upgrades in endurance, screen visibility, and ruggedness. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Steve Nesius | Reuters For analysts at Bernstein, Starship is the most important issue for SpaceX in justifying its valuation. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Another issue is the characterization of the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program, which the White House cited in justifying the travel restrictions. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

The practice is so unusual that an internal waiver justifying the choice is typically required. — Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 July 2026