as in excuses
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 justifications
In a somewhat baffling aside that failed to meet the moment, Jordan Klepper popped in, supposedly live from Minneapolis, to satirize the ever-shifting goalposts of the administration’s justifications for Pretti’s death.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Under current law, notwithstanding forthcoming Supreme Court decisions, the president can impose tariffs under sweeping justifications like national security or other emergency powers.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Trump has given varied justifications for the use of tariffs in his second term—both as an economic measure and a foreign policy tool.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
That includes not only explanations and justifications for the officers’ actions but also, where appropriate, apologies and commitments to correct any tactical or administrative problems that led to the loss of life.
—Laurence Miller, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
When boards pre-commit to a preferred outcome and then retrofit justifications for rejecting alternatives, the problem is not strategic disagreement.
—Mark Desjardine, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
The justifications that were given are things that most members of the opposition would be embarrassed to be hearing.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
As the United States was about to commit to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein from Iraq 20-plus years ago now, the Bush administration made different arguments and justifications for intervention that seemed to shift like the sand of the Middle East.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
The legislation would also repeal the legal justifications used to attack Iraq in 1991 and 2003.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Under current law, notwithstanding forthcoming Supreme Court decisions, the president can impose tariffs under sweeping justifications like national security or other emergency powers.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Trump has given varied justifications for the use of tariffs in his second term—both as an economic measure and a foreign policy tool.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
That includes not only explanations and justifications for the officers’ actions but also, where appropriate, apologies and commitments to correct any tactical or administrative problems that led to the loss of life.
—Laurence Miller, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
When boards pre-commit to a preferred outcome and then retrofit justifications for rejecting alternatives, the problem is not strategic disagreement.
—Mark Desjardine, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
The justifications that were given are things that most members of the opposition would be embarrassed to be hearing.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
As the United States was about to commit to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein from Iraq 20-plus years ago now, the Bush administration made different arguments and justifications for intervention that seemed to shift like the sand of the Middle East.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
The legislation would also repeal the legal justifications used to attack Iraq in 1991 and 2003.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifications
Noun
-
The excuses have more to do with political expediency and gas lobbying than reality.—
Anshul Gupta,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
There can be no excuses because the general team performance against mid-table Fulham had plenty in common with those that had gone before it.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For these reasons, snow mushrooms are a good choice for dry skin but can also be appropriate for all skin types.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said the forklift program stands out for many reasons.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifications. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
