in the name of
On behalf of
In the name of invokes an authority, principle, or person as justification for an action: crimes committed in the name of religion, I arrest you in the name of the law.
It can express dedication or appeal: In the name of all that is holy, stop!
The phrase sometimes masks questionable motives behind noble-sounding causes: They seized the land in the name of progress.
Address to deity
- summoningCalling forth deliberately
- invokingCalling upon formally
- beseechingUrgently pleading for something
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
incantation · oath · vow · appeal · supplication · evocation · benediction · calling upon
Stated basis for action
- defenseProtection against harm
- explanationStatement making something clear
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
vindication · plea · pretext · grounds · cause · sake · purpose · reason
Sacred spiritual purity
- sacrednessQuality of being holy
- GodSupreme spiritual authority
- religionSystem of spiritual belief
- faithTrust without proof
divinity · heaven · Allah · Christ · righteousness · piety · devotion · reverence
Formal authoritative directive
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- governanceHow authority is exercised
sovereignty · power · rule · dominion · enforcement · regime · crown · state
prayer
Address to deity
- summoningCalling forth deliberately
- invokingCalling upon formally
- beseechingUrgently pleading for something
chanting · incantation · oath · vow · appeal · supplication · evocation · benediction · calling upon · ritual
rationale
Stated basis for action
- defenseProtection against harm
- explanationStatement making something clear
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
reasoning · vindication · plea · pretext · grounds · cause · sake · purpose · reason · behalf
holiness
Sacred spiritual purity
- sacrednessQuality of being holy
- GodSupreme spiritual authority
- religionSystem of spiritual belief
faith · divinity · heaven · Allah · Christ · righteousness · piety · devotion · reverence · blessing
mandate
Formal authoritative directive
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
governance · sovereignty · power · rule · dominion · enforcement · regime · crown · state · law
in the name ofpersonally
As an individual matter
independently · of one's own accord · unofficially · individually · autonomously
name, nominate, anonymous, nominee, antonym, nomination, nominal, misnomer, namesake