justifies

verb

present tense third-person singular of justify
1
as in explains
to be an acceptable reason for you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum

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2
as in defends
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 justifies That’s precisely the work AI is best suited to automate, not the work that justifies a marketing department. — Richard Freisberg, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 These are electric cars, which apparently justifies a vaguely techy-sounding alphanumeric assemblage. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026 Back at the hotel, the rooftop pool offers a welcome reset after a day exploring DTLA, while the gym is well-equipped and justifies bringing a set of workout clothes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026 Wall Street firm William Blair estimated about $300 million in potential annual corporate and technology savings, to be sure, but that hardly justifies a $50 billion deal. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 While the price can be inhibiting for some — with chef pants priced as high as $190 and jackets as much as $210, the price of a decent knife or other cooking tools — Argoti feels the heavy usage justifies the cost for him. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 In instances like these, and there are many of them, one realizes how the novel acquires, and justifies, its title. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 Still, the goodness of the final product justifies the effort. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 For wealth advisors and the product providers, like AQR and Quantinno, the complexity justifies the fees and benefits. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifies
  1. explains
  2. defends
  3. maintains
  4. upholds
Verb
  • Below, Bourne explains how and why Black in the British Frame fell out of print.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Which perhaps explains why people keep trying to run it back.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of explains
Verb
  • Continue reading … SOUR NOTE — Hayley Williams unleashes vulgar insult at DHS after agency defends ICE officers.
    — , FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Hugo Weaving plays a brilliant but disgraced attorney, drowning in debt, who reluctantly defends an allegedly dangerous dog, battling to save its life.
    — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of defends
Verb
  • Alderman maintains that each of the defendants have continued to lie to protect themselves and believes there is evidence of satanic worship.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2026
  • One Israeli journalist compared Segal’s role in Israel to that of Fox News host Bret Baier, who maintains journalistic independence despite working for a right-wing platform.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of maintains
Verb
  • In February, President Pamela Whitten and the board of trustees supported and adopted the Chicago Principles, a set of guidelines regarding how the university upholds its free speech environment.
    — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The letter was also sent to Harry and Meghan’s team and upholds Queen Elizabeth’s wishes when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles in 2020.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of upholds

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Cite this Entry

“Justifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifies. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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