Explain
Explain verb - To give the reason for or cause of.
Usage example: can you explain your very odd behavior at the wedding reception?
Justify is a synonym for explain in account for topic. In some cases you can use "Justify" instead a verb "Explain", when it comes to topics like account, make clear. popular alternative
Justify
Justify verb - To be an acceptable reason for.
Usage example: you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
Explain is a synonym for justify in account topic. You can use "Explain" instead a verb "Justify", if it concerns topics such as account for, legitimize, give grounds for. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
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Aliens Speaking English: One of the only instances in the entire 20+ year history of the franchise that attempts to justify or explain how Cybertronians can speak English.
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At no point is the ring strictly necessary to explain or justify the turns of the story.
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Trying to justify or explain it is as futile as explaining why Matrix should face a court-martial for property damage.
Source: Film / 300
Cite this Source
Justify and Explain. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/justify
Explain & Justify. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/justify>.
Justify or Explain. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/justify.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain" and "justify" have occurred on timeline