as in excuse
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame
offered a weak justification for why he was so late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of justification
While very common globally, the U.S. doesn’t operate VAT, and Trump has billed it as a trade barrier — and a justification for tariffs.
—
Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 18 June 2025
Name recognition is not a justification for nominating someone for governor.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 18 June 2025
Your entire career dedicated to coming up with justifications for carpet bombing the Middle East.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
The Sox will sell all that and more as justification for this move.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for justification
Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 18 June 2025
Name recognition is not a justification for nominating someone for governor.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 18 June 2025
Your entire career dedicated to coming up with justifications for carpet bombing the Middle East.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
The Sox will sell all that and more as justification for this move.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for justification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justification
Noun
-
It’s been tough to shuffle the pitching rotation, and tough to shuttle guys back and forth from Triple-A to make up for injuries, but the Mets aren’t using injuries as an excuse.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
-
The incident offered Russia an excuse to send in military forces and grab control of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.—
Charles Kupchan,
Foreign Affairs,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
In Virginia, Democratic turnout rose even without much of a reason to vote.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
-
This rise in great white shark sightings off Cape Cod is due to a few reasons.—
Brianna Randall,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justification. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share