JUSTIFY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'justify' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of justify are assert , defend , maintain , and vindicate . While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent. // the action was used to justify military intervention

Q: When might 'assert' be a better fit than 'justify'?

The synonyms assert and justify are sometimes interchangeable, but assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim. // asserted her rights

Q: In what contexts can 'defend' take the place of 'justify'?

The words defend and justify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism. // defended his voting record

Q: When would 'maintain' be a good substitute for 'justify'?

While in some cases nearly identical to justify , maintain stresses firmness of conviction. // steadfastly maintained his innocence

Q: When is it sensible to use 'vindicate' instead of 'justify'?

In some situations, the words vindicate and justify are roughly equivalent. However, vindicate implies successfully defending. // his success vindicated our faith in him

justify

verb

ˈjə-stə-ˌfī

Definition of justify next

as in to explain

to be an acceptable reason for you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum

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as in to defend

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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How does the verb justify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of justify are assert, defend, maintain, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

When might assert be a better fit than justify?

The synonyms assert and justify are sometimes interchangeable, but assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

In what contexts can defend take the place of justify?

The words defend and justify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

When would maintain be a good substitute for justify?

While in some cases nearly identical to justify, maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

When is it sensible to use vindicate instead of justify?

In some situations, the words vindicate and justify are roughly equivalent. However, vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

Examples of justify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yet Diop’s work justifies such auteurial pronouncements. —

Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024 This could be easier to justify under international law – in the way that the special forces of Western nations are thought to be advising Ukrainian troops behind the front lines. —

Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Oct. 2024 Despite the furor over the shooting, a grand jury declined to charge the eight police officers involved, finding the officers were legally justified in using deadly force against Walker. —

Polo Sandoval, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024 By creating a false dichotomy between talent and dedication, Combs justified the show’s grueling demands of contestants, his role as their kingmaker, and his explosive anger when the women failed to meet his expectations. —

Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for justify

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'justify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justify. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

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Last Updated: 30 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of justify

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