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

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 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
  • Honoring your own culture An effective way to navigate these conversations is by explaining to your child that their friend's hairstyle is a way of honoring their culture—and that your child can celebrate their own culture, too.
    Leslie D. Rose, Parents, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Giving them a break while cutting benefits to lower-income Americans, also under discussion, could be politically difficult to explain.
    Kate Murphy, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Texans move on without Johnson to prepare for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions in the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The 21-year-old — who joined United’s academy from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 — impressed with his ability to cover large amounts of space when defending against Arsenal in their FA Cup tie on Sunday.
    Carl Anka, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After various teachers, administrators and parents raised concerns about the efficacy and age appropriateness of the books, the school system initially allowed students to be excused when the books were read in class.
    Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Prior to the pandemic, Pelosi denied Rep. Tammy Duckworth’s (D-Ill.) request to be excused from in-person voting due to similar concerns in 2014.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Samsung believes other hardware upgrades are more than enough to maintain the same $1,299.99 price.
    Todd Haselton, The Verge, 22 Jan. 2025
  • In a tall pot, heat a neutral oil to 350ºF and try to maintain this temperature when frying the corn dogs.
    Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Corporate news Investor are also keeping an eye on corporate news, including: The Supreme Court upheld a law that would ban TikTok on Sunday, the day before Trump's inauguration, if its parent company ByteDance doesn't sell it.
    Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The announcement follows a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese buyer by January 19.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near justify

Cite this Entry

“Justify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justify. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on justify

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