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.

There should be some weight and intention behind it, some larger explanation that can be used to justify the term’s use.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

“Such dislike, however, cannot justify using regulatory processes to restrict those views.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“Such dislike, however, cannot justify using regulatory processes to restrict those views. The government does not get to decide ‘what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion.’”

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

“The payoff from the services that are associated with AI, they don’t seem to justify the magnitude of the investments” in the technology.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Her features were clear-cut enough to justify the poems written to her in London and even here in Boston, comparing her to a classic goddess.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Vocabulary lists containing justify

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