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.

In his lawsuit, Bonta argued that Bianco failed to identify a specific crime in the warrants to justify seizing the ballots.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

“While having SpaceX listed would bring substantial value to an exchange, this alone should not justify altering the method used to determine index inclusion,” Matturri wrote in a LinkedIn post.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

It makes it clear that selecting alternative assets for reasons including providing diversification may justify higher fees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Meta has to justify its AI spending purely by its own operations.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Since we were not eligible for armed conflict beyond marching with wooden guns, our mother’s war seemed to justify us.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

justify

Example Sentences

Related Words