justification

noun

jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce justification (audio)
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

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
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.
Trump claims pardons for those on the bipartisan congressional Jan. 6 committee are void, therefore potentially opening the door toward a justification for investigation. Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025 But managers were also instructed to rank such workers and, later, to include a justification for anyone who should be kept. David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025 On Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi and top Justice Department officials said the government may invoke the state secrets privilege as justification for withholding information about the flights from Boasberg. Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025 That’s the justification McMahon and other Trump allies have used for dismantling the department and sending its funding directly to states to spend. Bianca Vázquez Toness, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for justification

Word History

Etymology

see justify

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of justification was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justification. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

justification

noun
jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjəs-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce justification (audio)
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 How to pronounce justification (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on justification

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