as in excuse
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 justification
The day Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — a law that has only ever been used during wartime — as a legally shaky justification to detain and deport non-citizens.
—
Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
The White House used a national security justification in issuing the emergency declaration, arguing the tariffs were a necessary tool to incentivize Canada to increase border security to limit the amount of fentanyl flowing into the United States.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2025
Some of the justifications are at odds with each other, economists said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
But, even if every Republican in both chambers had consented, this backdoor approach would have given Senate Democrats clear justification for using the filibuster to block the resolution and shut down the government.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justification
Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
The White House used a national security justification in issuing the emergency declaration, arguing the tariffs were a necessary tool to incentivize Canada to increase border security to limit the amount of fentanyl flowing into the United States.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2025
Some of the justifications are at odds with each other, economists said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
But, even if every Republican in both chambers had consented, this backdoor approach would have given Senate Democrats clear justification for using the filibuster to block the resolution and shut down the government.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justification
Cite this Entry
“Justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justification. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share