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 of justification

• excuse
• 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

Justice Department lawyers went on to defend the policy in court and, most controversially, took steps to obscure from the Supreme Court reports that cast doubt on the military justification and showed that Japanese Americans were overwhelmingly loyal to the United States. —Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

In a bid to ramp up the economic pressure on the Kremlin, European officials have announced proposals to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction — a move that Russian officials have called tantamount to justification for war. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

The office said on July 14, 2022, without lawful justification and with intent to kill, Quinones-Herstad stabbed Gonzalez-Alarcon, 55, multiple times with a knife, killing her. —Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

Agents are also allowed to search your vehicle or belongings at official border crossings or checkpoints, even without probable cause, but more invasive searches require stronger justification. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing justification

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

Rhymes for justification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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