justify synonyms

justify

v.

  1. To vindicate

    absolve, acquit, clear; see excuse.

  2. To give reasons for

    plead, argue for, defend, support, apologize for, palliate, excuse, explain, sustain, maintain, advocate, brief, answer for, be answerable for, put in a plea for, stand up for, make allowances, rationalize, exculpate, speak in favor of, favor, champion, make a plea, acquit oneself of, show sufficient grounds for, countenance, do justice to, condone, pardon, make good, confirm, rebut, show cause; see also defend 3, explain.

    Antonyms convict*, condemn*, implicate. *

  3. To prove by the event

    warrant, verify, bear out; see prove.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.