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
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 justified
Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Still, many have remained behind bars with stiffer than justified penalties for nonviolent drug offenses.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 23 Jan. 2025
Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025
Scott, who considers Stiller both his boss and a friend, justified the show’s painstaking development process as necessary for quality control.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for justified 
Adjective
Many Reddit users praised the dealer's strategy, seeing it as a justified response to the coworker's actions.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Still, many have remained behind bars with stiffer than justified penalties for nonviolent drug offenses.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
Is another cycle of stadium building justified?
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025
Scott, who considers Stiller both his boss and a friend, justified the show’s painstaking development process as necessary for quality control.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for justified
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justified
Adjective
-
Time based: Set a reasonable time frame to reduce alcohol consumption.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
-
After a reasonable time, drain the water — not into a city sewer or drainage area — and dispose of the soaked fireworks debris in a plastic garbage bag.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Bournemouth and Fulham have left Tyneside with deserved victories and Howe has appeared reluctant to use his replacements early.—
Sam Lee,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The lead single off the Italian synth-pop project Baltimora’s debut LP has stalked our social media feeds in recent years, giving it a much deserved spotlight in absurd infamy.—
SPIN Editors,
SPIN,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In a press release that was translated from Hebrew to English, the university explained that the artifacts date back to the Hellenistic period.—
Andrea Margolis,
Fox News,
6 Jan. 2025
-
The 2025 Golden Globes, explained The past few years, they've also been photographed at events like the US Open Men's Final and Beyoncé's birthday concert in 2023.—
David Oliver,
USA TODAY,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
While Dylan’s first album with Columbia Records wasn’t a big commercial success, Cash, a Columbia Records artist, defended it, so the label didn’t drop Dylan, according to Gray.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
TIME,
25 Dec. 2024
-
Moore, a former four-star recruit, has started seven games — including the College Playoff win over Indiana — and ranks fifth among freshmen nationally with 10 passes defended.—
Manny Navarro,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Not everyone was on the same page, as some commentators maintained that Lively had behaved rudely to Kjersti Flaa in that infamous interview and had a problematic past.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Even amid stressful late-game scenarios, Washington’s quarterback, whose EKG might have appeared flatlined since he seemingly never gets rattled, maintained his calm approach.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Amorim is not likely to be afforded those in abundance at a club of United’s stature, even if trusting the process is the only logical way to succeed.—
Matt Woosnam,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The Treasury Department would be the next most logical agency to administer student debt, Mayotte said.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Although the Supreme Court upheld the protection of the snail darter, President Jimmy Carter would intervene the following year, signing legislation that exempted the Tennessee project from the ESA, leading to its eventual completion.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
There are stories behind every regular-season game that might not be valid come March Madness.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2025
-
So, for people like me, whose nerves don't get calmed by facts and numbers, just know, your feelings are valid.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near justified
Cite this Entry
“Justified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justified. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share