justification

noun

ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce justification (audio)
Definition of justificationnext
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

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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 For decades, Islamabad has accused India, not without justification, of gross human rights violations against Kashmiris on its side of the Line of Control. — Aqil Shah, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 The risk is using optimism as a receipt or comfort as justification. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Nor are the types of disruptive attacks or the legal justification for them. — Henry Larson, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026 Twitch had a simple justification for letting its parent company, Amazon, use streamers’ content to train generative AI by default. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for justification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justification
  1. excuse
  2. reason
Noun
  • In fact, hot summer days, casual weekends, and low-key outings are the perfect excuse to let the girls breathe.
    — Julia Guerra, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Save as a collection on MyRecipes Fall brings football tailgates, family dinners, and dozens more excuses to gather.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • Requiring personnel to document a legitimate law-enforcement reason and associated case number before conducting a license-plate search.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The intense interest in the case is one reason why her lawyers are pushing for a retrial – the town was so crowded that at one stage jury members shared a hotel with the prosecution team and an informant.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of reason

Browse Nearby Words

justifiably
justification
justifications
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Cite this Entry

“Justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justification. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on justification

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about justification

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