Defend
Defend verb - To continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections.
Usage example: she will pigheadedly defend any claim regardless of all evidence to the contrary
Justify is a synonym for defend in support topic. In some cases you can use "Justify" instead a verb "Defend", when it comes to topics like action, excuse, show support for. popular alternative
Justify
Justify verb - To continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections.
Usage example: failed to justify the need for a war at this time
Defend is a synonym for justify in action topic. You can use "Defend" instead a verb "Justify", if it concerns topics such as support, excuse, explain, legitimize. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- Nothing entirely wrong with this, but it gets a little disturbing when these people try to defend or justify destroying the Na'vi's home and killing a good number of them, including their elderly and children.
Source: Misaimed Fandom / Film -
Lawyers, who often defend people or practices that are considered unpopular or wrong (or justify draconian laws in the case of prosecutors), are an infamous Acceptable Target.
Source: Evil Lawyer Joke -
Unfazed, Kuroyukihime then goes on to justify her avatar's outfit by saying that her costume's tight fit is for practical reasons and goes on to stoically defend further.
Cite this Source
Justify and Defend. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/defend/justify
Defend & Justify. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/defend/justify>.
Justify or Defend. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/defend/justify.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "defend" and "justify" have occurred on timeline