justifies

verb

present tense third-person singular of justify
1
as in explains
to be an acceptable reason for you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in defends
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

Example 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 justifies Each enterprise has to decide what level of availability justifies that investment. — Srini Srinivasan, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The watch justifies its premium and improves upon its two-year-old predecessor with three-day battery life and a blindingly bright screen. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 For companies looking to recover duties already paid, Sharad said the first step is determining who served as the importer of record and whether the potential refund justifies the administrative effort. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026 Trump has argued that his stated goal of keeping Iran from gaining nuclear weapons justifies higher fuel costs in the near term, but the economic pain has put political pressure on him to find a way to end the war. — Yasmine Ghania, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 Those profits and expectations for more growth are what typically justifies a stock's value. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 For families, the winning move is to treat these venues like small attractions — plan the visit, pick the one add-on that matters, and use memberships where the visit frequency justifies it. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026 Members of the movement share an extremist political ideology that justifies (in their view) unlawful activities or at least the intentional disregard of federal laws. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 July 2026 Labeling an animal a pest typically justifies the use of harmful or deadly methods to remove undesirable species from human spaces. — Elan Abrell, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifies
  1. explains
  2. defends
  3. maintains
  4. upholds
Verb
  • After speaking to multiple sources familiar with the process — all of whom remain anonymous to protect relationships — The Athletic explains the lay of the land.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Kash explains that turmeric contains a specific type of polyphenol called curcumin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties (and is what gives the spice its bright yellow color).
    — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of explains
Verb
  • Sasa takes on a rape case that strikes close to home, while his friend Kalle defends a client in a gang trial that tests his ideals.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Rolly Romero defends his WBA welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez on August 22, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of defends
Verb
  • The future of farmland preservation around Charlotte Despite the challenges, the region still maintains 8,936 active farms, providing a window to integrate urban and rural growth sustainably.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ned Davis Research chief global strategist Tim Hayes also maintains a Secular Bear Watch model meant to foretell equity ice ages.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of maintains
Verb
  • If the District Court upholds the denial, your application is considered exhausted.
    — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • For many, this new-build option upholds preferential aesthetics while satisfying practical needs and eliminating restoration headaches.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026
Definition of upholds

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Cite this Entry

“Justifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifies. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of justifies for Spanish Speakers

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