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
Examples 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
Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
The other draft order, the one disbanding the Iraqi army, also seemed justified to Bremer, Slocombe, and Feith in light of the on-the-ground reality.
—Garrett M. Graff, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2023
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Now, some decline in valuation multiple for ZS seems justified, given the fall in revenue growth rate.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for justified 
Adjective
During his summation, Franklin County prosecutor Anthony Pierson told the jury that the evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that Coy's use of deadly force was not justified, according to his training and national police standards.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
The other draft order, the one disbanding the Iraqi army, also seemed justified to Bremer, Slocombe, and Feith in light of the on-the-ground reality.
—Garrett M. Graff, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2023
Verb
Or where the killer is justified & cheered.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Now, some decline in valuation multiple for ZS seems justified, given the fall in revenue growth rate.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for justified
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justified
Adjective
-
Give yourself 24 hours to complete and publish a project — or a similarly reasonable timetable depending on the size of the task.Amy Landino, Contributor, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
-
What about interacting via keyboard with generative AI? Mull that over and decide if that’s a reasonable act or an outrageously off-the-mark act.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The most common issues identified in her research include: Feeling stagnant in their career progression, lacking promotions, raises, or deserved recognition.Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
-
Loose Ends: The Legacy Heroes – Reynolds, Levy, and the cast and crew go through some of the mind-blowing cameos and the characters who finally get their deserved endings.Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
In relation to her recent appointment to the five-person judging panel of the Booker Prize, Parker explained how her love of books started with her mother, who made sure that her eight children always left home with a book.Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Fireball might be what astronomers call a 'bolide' Fireballs that explode in the atmosphere, explained Shaw, are called bolides, which may have been what witnesses saw Tuesday morning.John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Army’s 25% explosive play rate should have success against Navy, who has not defended man concepts well.Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Trustee Christopher Murray had defended The Onion's bid during the hearing.CBS News, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Despite the harrowing events, Foxx maintained his sense of humor, as evidenced by the Netflix special.Alex Gonzalez, SPIN, 10 Dec. 2024
-
The Likud Party leader has stated that the judicial reform legislation does not affect his criminal case, and maintained that the Gaza war is prolonged only by the effort to eliminate Hamas as a threat.Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Like so many other stars on the main roster, ranging from Cody Rhodes to Kevin Owens, The Bloodline has consistently targeted them in a way that makes their quest for revenge quite the logical one.Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
-
To prevent yourself from imposing irrational penalties, set up house rules that outline logical consequences in advance.Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Parents, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
After the ban was upheld by a federal appeals court last week, social media users and creators are wondering what the future of the short-form video app will be, and for some aspiring influencers, TikTok’s legal drama could serve as a cautionary tale.Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Christopher Wilson urged the justices to overturn a ruling from Hawaii's top court that upheld Wilson's prosecution for carrying a handgun without a license, and that Wilson said conflicts with his Second Amendment rights.Justin Jouvenal and Ann E. Marimow The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But the overall point is valid, looks like suboptimal surgery.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
-
The prosecution, in turn, said passengers’ fear of Neely was valid but that Penny did not need to use deadly physical force to address it – or subdue the unarmed Neely once everyone was off the train.Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near justified
Cite this Entry
“Justified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justified. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share