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
Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
According to historian Darren Mulloy, extremists use well-known and accepted American symbols to create a sense that violence is a justified and necessary means of defense.
—Art Jipson, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025
Graeme Taskerud, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
The record signing has justified his hefty price tag with goals (eight), assists (four) and a high work rate out of possession across 32 appearances.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justified
Adjective
These numbers are set to decline as the Trump administration restricts new student visa approvals and continues widespread, loosely justified revocations of student visas.
—Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
According to historian Darren Mulloy, extremists use well-known and accepted American symbols to create a sense that violence is a justified and necessary means of defense.
—Art Jipson, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke determined the officers were justified in their use of force and cleared them in November 2021 for firing back at Miller, according to the news release.
—Graeme Taskerud, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
The record signing has justified his hefty price tag with goals (eight), assists (four) and a high work rate out of possession across 32 appearances.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justified
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justified
Adjective
-
Under coach Manolo González, Espanyol has just placed a reasonable 14th in La Liga.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
International agreements require the owners of the patents on standardized technologies to allow others to use them—to license them to any interested party on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.—
Zoltan Istvan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Expect kudos, rewards and deserved acknowledgement!—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
-
But there is also the fact that Bayern lost their record dominance in the Champions League group stage, and although the club put up a good fight, the exit against Inter Milan was more than deserved.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Another teacher explained to me that I can be paid 50% of my husband’s Social Security benefit instead.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
-
So if there’s a breach, there’s nothing to steal, Suman explained.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This rivalry continued into Survivor Series 2012, where Punk defended his title in a triple threat match against Ryback and John Cena.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Schumer defended his stance, acknowledging the bill's flaws but arguing that a government shutdown would be worse.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Ferrari driver maintained the lead on the opening lap and steadily built a gap, trying to break the DRS window to the Red Bull driver on his tail.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Hamilton maintained his lead throughout the 19-lap sprint race and defended the position from Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen, who lost the second spot to Piastri after his front tires began to wear out significantly.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Even with Bailey singing her lovestruck heart out, Rob Marshall's redo doesn't make the same refreshing splash as the 1989 animated classic but gets points for trying with a more logical narrative.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
-
Therefore, the logical starting point might be to first to prop this thing at least back up to respectability.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2025
Verb
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As Reuters reports, Indonesia's Ministry of Industry has upheld its ban on the iPhone 16 because Apple has yet to meet its domestic content rules.—
Jibin Joseph,
PCMAG,
8 Jan. 2025
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Other coalitions are arguing the ban should be upheld, including former national security officials, former officials at the Federal Communications Commission and activist groups that advocate on behalf of the Uyghur people, people in Hong Kong and others against the Chinese government.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Prior to Sunday's attack, Soliman was driving for Uber, which required him to have a valid Social Security number, CBS News has learned.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
3 June 2025
-
On cross-examination, Ferguson confirmed that there were employees in the finance department who went through the corporate credit card statements to determine which charges were valid business expenses and which were personal expenses.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justified. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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