justification

noun

jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of justifying something : vindication

arguments offered in justification of their choice

b

: an acceptable reason for doing something : something that justifies an act or way of behaving

could provide no justification for his decision

2

: the act, process, or state of being justified by God (see justify sense 2a)

3

: the process or result of justifying lines of text (see justify sense 3a)

software that provides automatic justification of text

Synonyms

• alibi
• apology
• defense
• excuse
• plea
• reason

Examples of justification in a Sentence

He tried to present a justification for his behavior.

There is no possible justification for what she did.

His behavior is without justification.

Recent Examples on the Web

Johnson did not cite a reason for Turner’s removal, but Turner told CBS News that the speaker cited concerns from Mar-a-Lago as justification. —Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Jan. 2025

The letter, published on Jan. 14, points out that Walmart has not provided financial or business justifications for this policy change. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 16 Jan. 2025

During the trial, Judge Ryan Hill declined to permit the jury to consider a self-defense justification in its deliberation. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025

Trump’s advisers have spent months searching for a disease that could serve as justification for closing the southern border, as Covid did in 2020. —David Leonhardt, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see justify

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing justification

• in justification of
• self-justification
• with some justification

Kids Definition

justification

noun

jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjəs-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of justifying or of being justified

2

: something that justifies : defense

Legal Definition

justification

noun

jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjəs-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of justifying

2

: something that justifies

specifically : a legally sufficient reason or cause (as self-defense) for an act that would otherwise be criminal or tortious

3

: the affirmative defense of having a legally sufficient justification compare excuse