Synonyms of justification

justification

noun

ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

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

• excuse
• reason
• apology
• defense
• plea
• alibi
• rationale
• pretext
• rationalization
• vindication
• confession
• pretense
• acknowledgment
• atonement
• out
• whitewash
• guise
• cop-out
• color
• extenuation
• palliation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of justification

These cases where dual-class shares have gone awry are often cited by good governance advocates as justification for sunsetting dual-class shares across the board. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026

Such a secret justification invokes for some former government lawyers a different series of memos written after 9/11. — Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

What was the breakdown for and against and what justifications did the majority give for its decision? — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 July 2026

What possible justification can there be for using those date windows, when there’s no reasonable way to ascribe any of the trends to a policy that has not yet been able to see results, due to the lengthy incubation period? — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026