as in excuse
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 justification
Even so, Muzaffar Chishti of the Migration Policy Institute said that the executive branch has vast discretion in immigration law, particularly when invoking national security justifications, and defense attorneys may face an uphill battle.
—
Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
There is simply no justification for continuing to shortchange the very towns and cities that deliver services to our families every day.
—Jennifer Mahr, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
Shirley’s allegations were part of the administration’s justification for a harsh immigration crackdown that upturned life in that city for weeks.
—Andrew Graham
april 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Democrats have argued that his justification was an excuse to draw a map that creates as many Republican-favoring districts as possible across the state — and drawing South Florida Democrats into less competitive districts was the only way to do that.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for justification
Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
There is simply no justification for continuing to shortchange the very towns and cities that deliver services to our families every day.
—Jennifer Mahr, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
Shirley’s allegations were part of the administration’s justification for a harsh immigration crackdown that upturned life in that city for weeks.
—Andrew Graham
april 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Democrats have argued that his justification was an excuse to draw a map that creates as many Republican-favoring districts as possible across the state — and drawing South Florida Democrats into less competitive districts was the only way to do that.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for justification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justification
Noun
-
Now, with a new head coach, new quarterback and a 12-team College Football Playoff, the excuses for the Nittany Lions to not make it to the postseason are running out.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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The plot is little more than an excuse to string together a series of fight scenes, emulating the experience of playing the games.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The assassination attempt failed — and Hinckley was arrested, tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1982.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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McCollum’s line was one of the biggest reasons the game never got complicated.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justification. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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