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
Their videos have turned American public opinion squarely against these operations and undercut the administration’s justifications for use of force.
—
Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
That didn’t happen, however, because a federal judge ruled that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem failed to provide sufficient legal justification to revoke TPS.
—Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
The companies lacked a legitimate business justification for failing to hire men in these roles, according to the EEOC.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
The order also notes that protesters ignoring dispersal orders or trespassing on federal property is not appropriate justification for agents to deploy riot control weapons.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for justification
Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
That didn’t happen, however, because a federal judge ruled that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem failed to provide sufficient legal justification to revoke TPS.
—Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
The companies lacked a legitimate business justification for failing to hire men in these roles, according to the EEOC.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
The order also notes that protesters ignoring dispersal orders or trespassing on federal property is not appropriate justification for agents to deploy riot control weapons.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for justification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justification
Noun
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Even though most job cuts don’t appear to be tied to AI automation, companies are using the technology as an excuse to make routine headcount reductions, according to management experts.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Then again, someone like Charli doesn’t exactly need an excuse to embrace the theatrical.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Gordon pointed to a January study published in the journal Science as highlighting the reason behind the decline in overdose deaths.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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My sense is that the reason for this disconnect—the loss of power that faith traditions and philosophies once had to influence progressive movements—is that so much of it is digital now.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justification. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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