JUSTIFYING Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

justifying

verb

present participle of justify

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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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

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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 That is why parents, and moms in particular, who historically have taken on most of the child care work and labor in the home—have trouble justifying rest. — Parents, 28 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifying

Verb

Before explaining what the technology can do, understand what the customer is trying to accomplish.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In the Situational Awareness fund move, Griffin sent investors a letter explaining Citadel’s stock actions with the AI company.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of explaining

Verb

Hochul has made that argument in defending New York’s law, saying local officers should remain focused on investigating crimes rather than using state and local resources to perform ICE’s work.

— María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
But by defending in this way, Chelsea are giving smart opponents the advantage in the battle for possession.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of defending

Verb

Not that Miss Manners is excusing those who burst into dinner parties after the roast has been ruined — along with the other guests’ attitudes, most likely — and then blame it on traffic.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Part of that is the team’s fault, as Boone and Cashman have spent much of his career staunchly defending and excusing the former first-round pick’s poor play.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026

Definition of excusing

Verb

The few remaining workers maintaining the plant, however, received those benefits upon ratification.

— Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Icelandic voters rejected the measure amid widespread concern over maintaining control over fishing rights, a backbone of the country’s economy.

— Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of maintaining

Verb

God has created and knows only the spiritual universe, in which divine law reigns and rules, upholding all that is good and true.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
Banchi Hanuse works across film and radio as a co-founder of Nuxalk Radio, supporting Nuxalk language revitalization, upholding Nuxalk Nationhood and advocating for stewardship of Nuxalk homelands.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of upholding

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justify

justifying

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“Justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifying. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of justifying

verb

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