Definitions

justify

[juhs-tuh-fahy] / ˈdʒʌs təˌfaɪ /

VERB

legitimize, substantiate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate condone confirm countenance defend explain favor maintain rationalize support sustain uphold validate vindicate warrant

STRONG

absolve acquit alibi approve assert brief claim clear contend crawl establish exculpate excuse exonerate legalize palliate pardon plead rebut square verify

WEAK

answer for apologize for argue for be answerable for bear out cop a plea do justice to make allowances make good show cause speak in favor stand up for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attack condemn contradict deny desert disapprove neglect oppose refuse reject veto

STRONG

accuse blame charge convict damn disagree disprove incriminate invalidate punish sentence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It used to be those horses were automatic throwouts in the Derby, but Justify ended a drought of more than 135 years when he won, and Mage followed with a victory in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

“I asked him for a job one time out of high school, and he turned me down,” Baffert told The Times in 2018, while he was on his Triple Crown run with Justify.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2025

The last one to win more than one was Justify in 2018 when he won the Triple Crown.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2025

Justify, along with six other horses among five trainers, tested positive for jimson weed, which it was believed the horses ingested in their feed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2025

Justify, jus′ti-fī, v.t. to make just: to prove or show to be just or right: to vindicate: to absolve:—pr.p. jus′tifying; pa.p. jus′tified.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

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