justification

noun

ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce justification (audio)
Definition of justificationnext
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

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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 article turned to the 14th-century figure of Nusaybah bint Ka'ab for justification. — Sara Harmouch, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 But Raskin raised questions about that justification in his Monday response to the company. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 Regardless of what was going through my mind at the time, there is no justification for smiling or celebrating while another player receives medical attention. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 Fight over her heart condition The government also directly challenges Flores’ medical justification for release. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for justification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justification
  1. excuse
  2. reason
Noun
  • But that cannot be used as an excuse because the Dolphins scored just 13 points in each of the games that Achane finished.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Livia’s unease informs her skepticism of politics; in linking the two, Kingsolver conflates class and culture, using the former as an excuse for what really just seems to be Livia’s constitutional conservatism.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • The reason is that sellers will give up some money to avoid the risk that a buyer’s financing falls through.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Borisov’s brainy, tender, deeply contemplative performance lends an anchoring humanity to a film that might otherwise have curdled into sourness and despair — though there’s plenty of reason for that.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of reason

Browse Nearby Words

justifiably
justification
justifications
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justification. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on justification

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about justification

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