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

• alibi
• apology
• defense
• excuse
• plea
• 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

Few films before have shown the horrors of enslavement as vividly or as candidly, and none compare with this film’s demonstration of the legal and religious justifications or delve into the unimaginable gender conflicts tied up in the horrific institution. —John Ortved, Vogue, 14 June 2024

In a 1979 memo posted to its website, Denver Art Museum officials indicated ambivalence at giving back a war god to the Zuni tribe of New Mexico — citing many of the same justifications that museums long have used, and continue to use, to rebuff repatriation claims. —Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 10 June 2024

Further Reading Chrome’s next weapon in the War on Ad Blockers: Slower extension updates Comments from the Firefox team have also cast doubt on Google's justification for Manifest V3. —Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 31 May 2024

The justification for these policies, set 30 years ago as a means of preventing HIV transmission, has been undercut by the knowledge gained through scientific progress. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 30 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

see justify

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing justification

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

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