JUSTIFY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'justify' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of justify are assert , defend , maintain , and vindicate . While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent. // the action was used to justify military intervention

Q: When might 'assert' be a better fit than 'justify'?

The synonyms assert and justify are sometimes interchangeable, but assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim. // asserted her rights

Q: In what contexts can 'defend' take the place of 'justify'?

The words defend and justify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism. // defended his voting record

Q: When would 'maintain' be a good substitute for 'justify'?

While in some cases nearly identical to justify , maintain stresses firmness of conviction. // steadfastly maintained his innocence

Q: When is it sensible to use 'vindicate' instead of 'justify'?

In some situations, the words vindicate and justify are roughly equivalent. However, vindicate implies successfully defending. // his success vindicated our faith in him

justify

verb

ˈjə-stə-ˌfī

Definition of justify next

as in to explain

to be an acceptable reason for you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to defend

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb justify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of justify are assert, defend, maintain, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable," justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

When might assert be a better fit than justify?

The synonyms assert and justify are sometimes interchangeable, but assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

In what contexts can defend take the place of justify?

The words defend and justify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

When would maintain be a good substitute for justify?

While in some cases nearly identical to justify, maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

When is it sensible to use vindicate instead of justify?

In some situations, the words vindicate and justify are roughly equivalent. However, vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

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 justify No sufficient governmental interest justifies limits on the political speech of nonprofit or for-profit corporations. —

Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Jan. 2025 Sometimes criticism is warranted, but it must be justified. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025 Investors are betting that President Donald Trump’s pro-growth policies, together with a strong economy and softening inflation, could power earnings growth for companies and justify their lofty valuations after the gains of the prior two years. —

Sarah Min, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025 Is there really an emergency that an extended border wall would address, and that would justify circumventing Congress’s role in deciding where to direct taxpayer money? —

Charlie Savage, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for justify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for justify

Verb

But money alone doesn’t explain the absence of conscience.

— Todd L. Pittinsky, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
For some teams, a dark-horse mind-set might be better for strategic reasons: underdogs tend to focus on the positive outcome (winning), while top dogs tend to avoid negative outcomes (not losing), which could explain why underdogs sometimes play looser and with an eye to higher risks and rewards.

— Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025