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
Relevance
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
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 Consistently, independent polls showed the opposition with a sizable lead, but Western diplomats in Budapest cautioned me not to underestimate Orbán’s ability to mobilize voters at the last moment, or to manufacture circumstances justifying a state of emergency. —
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026 In the meantime, Varsity faces a Thursday deadline to submit arguments justifying why, at its insistence, a bulk of the docket to date has been filed under seal. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026 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
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026 In the meantime, Varsity faces a Thursday deadline to submit arguments justifying why, at its insistence, a bulk of the docket to date has been filed under seal. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying
Verb
-
And two people explaining why a movie going straight to streaming is actually a good thing.— Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
-
That’s why the timeout confusion, while worth explaining, shouldn’t become the main takeaway.— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Cubs will visit Dodger Stadium this weekend for a three-game series against the two-time defending World Series champions.— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
-
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka should have his team defending with much more urgency, and Houston’s top frontcourt weapon is also likely to bounce back.— Geoff Clark OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Australians should maintain confidence in due process, and refrain from jumping to conclusions by either damning Roberts-Smith or excusing him.— The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 Apr. 2026
-
And historians can talk about the Versailles treaty causing resentment in Germany, which led to the rise of Nazism in World War II, and that’s fine; that’s not excusing.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Public Service Commission has approved a flurry of rate hikes in recent years as private utilities grapple with maintaining profits while improving infrastructure in a mountainous, sparsely populated state.— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
-
Fredericson says that exercise also supports weight management by affecting appetite, increasing calorie burn and helping preserve lean muscle mass, which is essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism.— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some said the commercial, with a conventionally attractive, white, thin, blonde woman with blue eyes at its center, was upholding Sweeney as the beauty standard.— Anika Reed, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
-
Hamas and multiple international organizations operating in Gaza have said Israel is not upholding its side of the deal, something Israel has denied while accusing Hamas of its own violations.— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
