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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of justify Nelson notes that each of the studio’s games has made enough to justify continuing his approach, and his studio’s output is now almost triple that of their peers, which has helped garner publishing partners. —

Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2025 So, both sides have leverage: The Red Sox know Crochet is desperate to cash in on his excellent 2024 season -- 3.58 ERA, 209 strikeouts -- and Crochet knows Boston must pay him to justify the trade. —

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Members of Congress must stop believing the lies from the Israeli government that are used to justify their campaign to make Gaza uninhabitable and to drive out or to physically eliminate all Palestinians from the area. —

Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2025 Breaking News Why police were justified in fatal shooting of Wallingford man in 2023: inspector general January 11, 2025 at 9:01 am Sports SUBSCRIBER ONLY In his third season in Hartford, Dylan Garand as become one of the top goalies in the AHL. —

Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for justify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for justify

Verb

This might mean using technology to help explain diagnoses or simply making sure communication is clear and thoughtful.

Maged el-Malecki, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
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