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
Yet Trump now not only blames Norway for failing to give it to him, but is using it as a justification for an invasion of Greenland.
—
Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
However, keeping businesses profitable is not justification to embrace the cruelty and abuse of animals at the rodeo.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
There is no justification to just shut it down.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
To then point to the challenges created by these policies as justification for a state takeover is both disingenuous and profoundly unfair.
—Debbi Hixon, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for justification
Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
However, keeping businesses profitable is not justification to embrace the cruelty and abuse of animals at the rodeo.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
There is no justification to just shut it down.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
To then point to the challenges created by these policies as justification for a state takeover is both disingenuous and profoundly unfair.
—Debbi Hixon, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for justification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justification
Noun
-
Cold days are the perfect excuse to stay in, watch movies, read a good book, or sneak in an afternoon nap.—
Jacquelyn McGilvray,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
There is no excuse for the dereliction of duty by Social Security officials in all this.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And there was no reason to change it.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2026
-
And so there's no reason to expect that to be different in this scenario, too.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justification. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
