as in excuses
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame
offered a weak justification for why he was so late
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Recent Examples of justifications
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
When societies forget that, their compassion fades, and tyranny finds new justifications.
—Oscar Biscet, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
The legislation would also repeal the legal justifications used to attack Iraq in 1991 and 2003.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
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
When societies forget that, their compassion fades, and tyranny finds new justifications.
—Oscar Biscet, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
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
-
Why Atlas stood out at CES 2026 CNET pointed to Atlas’ humanlike walking ability and refined industrial design as key reasons for the award.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
If the reasons behind an expense feel fuzzy, analyze the details and ask for a clear summary, because precise information turns hesitation into a calm, confident decision.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifications. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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