1
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information
in a well-justified ruling the court voted unanimously to overturn the law
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deserved
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
the use of force to capture the armed fugitive was fully justified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in explained
to be an acceptable reason for
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in defended
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
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Recent Examples of justified
Ashley Vega, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
When cooperation fails and the threat continues to metastasize, military action becomes not only justified but necessary.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025
If a fan’s only window into football analytics is a contextless statistic that flashes on the screen, though, then they might be justified in thinking data was useless.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justified
Adjective
The commenter went on to defend her response as justified.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
When cooperation fails and the threat continues to metastasize, military action becomes not only justified but necessary.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
The data also added to chatter about whether a jumbo, half-percentage-point cut could be on the table in September — a conversation Jim Cramer feels is justified.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025
If a fan’s only window into football analytics is a contextless statistic that flashes on the screen, though, then they might be justified in thinking data was useless.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justified
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justified
Adjective
-
Bondi could argue that her actions set a reasonable expectation that public officials should conduct themselves with respect towards other branches of government.—
Andrew Binns,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Lawyers for the plaintiffs said their restraining order only prevented federal agents from making stops without reasonable suspicion, in line with the Constitution and Court precedent.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Fleetwood’s victory was well earned and well deserved.—
Sheldon H. Jacobson,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
-
This One is Personal is a testament to Tiwa’s deserved longevity, and now that the singer-songwriter is 45 years old.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Green then explained the medical and industrial applications for these new knits.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Her therapist – who Heming Willis accidentally referred to her as her own caregiver – explained how normal these feelings were.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This leads to a devastated Scorsese, who is fiercely defended by the actual Charlize Theron.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
In the end, Mizzou defended its home territory and defeated Kansas 42-31.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If students were not in class, they would be marked absent but would be excused if a parent called them out.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Paris Jackson wants to be excused from the narrative that she was involved in Michael Jackson‘s biopic, and is calling Colman Domingo out for his recent comments about her.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The defense, McCarthy maintained, would have no response.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Patterson, who maintained her innocence throughout the trial and said the poisonings were accidental, has 28 days to appeal her sentence.—
Alasdair Pal,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Searching for a logical progression from The Office and like-minded comedies, so far The Paper has come up with a strange, often funny hybrid, with characters experiencing Parks and Rec idealism and Office-style fluorescent-light tedium simultaneously and sometimes incoherently.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Without a body to put to rest, even when there is no other logical conclusion than death, people can imagine and cling to the most improbable of alternatives.—
Bjorn Dihle,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The decision upheld a previous denial by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission over traffic concerns raised by city officials and in more than 300 public comments.—
Rose Evans
September 10,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Yesterday, an appeals court upheld that $83 million award.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justified. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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