Synonyms of justifying

justifying

verb

present participle of justify

1

as in explaining

to be an acceptable reason for

you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explaining
• excusing
• ignoring
• rationalizing
• accounting (for)
• condoning
• disregarding
• alibiing
• forgiving
• brushing (aside or off)
• explaining away
• winking (at)
• pardoning
• passing over
• remitting
• glossing (over)
• shrugging off
• glozing (over)

2

as in defending

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

• defending
• maintaining
• upholding
• supporting
• advocating
• asserting
• affirming
• proclaiming
• discussing
• confirming
• insisting
• championing
• vindicating
• stating
• arguing
• sticking up for
• pleading
• claiming
• protesting
• standing up for
• emphasizing
• debating
• espousing
• contending
• warranting
• professing
• averring
• stressing
• underscoring
• underlining
• avowing
• avouching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandoning
• withdrawing
• retracting
• forsaking
• reversing
• switching
• taking back
• refuting
• recanting
• abjuring
• disproving
• rebutting
• controverting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of justifying

Leaders must continue testing whether the assumptions justifying the original decision still hold. — Eric Reicin, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

As the populist argument of the day went, industry leaders had proven reckless, justifying much greater federal control. — William R. Gruver, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government in Israel is using ancient archaeological heritage as a tool for justifying the seizure of Palestinian land in the West Bank, reports the Financial Times. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Trump had not previously cited national security in justifying the ban. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

Newsom rejected a similar bill in 2024, after UC regents reversed their support for the policy and as fears grew that the state could face federal repercussions by justifying the hiring under a theory developed by UCLA legal scholars. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

That is why parents, and moms in particular, who historically have taken on most of the child care work and labor in the home—have trouble justifying rest. — Parents, 28 Aug. 2026

Former grand mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, an Assad loyalist who was vocally in support of the government's policies, was convicted of inciting violence and justifying murder. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Only medical reasons can be used in justifying concurrent surrogacy, and a qualified physician must attest to them in writing. — Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026