justification

noun

jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of justifying something : vindication

arguments offered in justification of their choice

b

: an acceptable reason for doing something : something that justifies an act or way of behaving

could provide no justification for his decision

2

: the act, process, or state of being justified by God (see justify sense 2a)

3

: the process or result of justifying lines of text (see justify sense 3a)

software that provides automatic justification of text

Synonyms of justification

• excuse
• reason

Examples of justification in a Sentence

He tried to present a justification for his behavior.

There is no possible justification for what she did.

His behavior is without justification.

Recent Examples on the Web

One open question is whether such a space would actually be used for the events now being cited as justification. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

In this particular case, legal justification will flow through China's Anti-Monopoly Law, first enacted in 2008 and strengthened through amendments in 2022, and originally presented as a mechanism to ensure fair market competition. —Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026

For years, the annual event has been held at the Washington Hilton, but an armed man shooting at the Secret Service inside the hotel has created a new justification for the controversial construction plan for a massive addition to the White House that would dwarf the main building itself. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026

The governor’s justification for redistricting is that Florida’s population has grown dramatically since the last congressional map was adopted in 2022 using 2020 census data. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing justification

• in justification of
• self-justification
• with some justification

Rhymes for justification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

justification

noun

jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjəs-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of justifying or of being justified

2

: something that justifies : defense

Legal Definition

justification

noun

jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjəs-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of justifying

2

: something that justifies

specifically : a legally sufficient reason or cause (as self-defense) for an act that would otherwise be criminal or tortious

3

: the affirmative defense of having a legally sufficient justification compare excuse