justification Definition
- 1the action of showing something to be right or reasonable
- 2a reason, fact, or explanation that defends or explains some act, idea, etc.
Using justification: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "justification" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company's justification for the price increase was the rising cost of raw materials.
Example
He tried to offer a justification for his rude behavior, but it fell flat.
Example
The court demanded a justification for the use of force by the police officers.
Example
She felt no need to provide a justification for her decision.
justification Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for justification
Antonyms for justification
- criticism
- condemnation
Idioms Using justification
beyond (all) justification
completely unjustifiable or indefensible
Example
His behavior was beyond all justification and he was fired immediately.
to find a reason or explanation that supports or defends something
Example
He tried to find justification in the company's policies for his unethical behavior.
to look for reasons or explanations that support or defend one's actions or beliefs
Example
She was constantly seeking justification for her decisions, even when they were clearly wrong.
Phrases with justification
self-justification
the act of defending or explaining one's own actions, often without regard to the truth or fairness of the situation
Example
His self-justification for cheating on the exam only made things worse.
a reason or explanation that is based on ethical principles or values
Example
He argued that there was no moral justification for the death penalty.
a reason or explanation that is based on laws or legal principles
Example
The lawyer presented a strong legal justification for her client's actions.
Origins of justification
from Old French 'justification', from late Latin 'justificatio(n-)', from the verb 'justificare', meaning 'to show to be just or right'
Summary: justification in Brief
The term 'justification' [ˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən] refers to the act of showing something to be right or reasonable, or a reason or explanation that defends or explains an act or idea. It can be used in various contexts, such as a company's justification for a price increase or a court's demand for a justification for the use of force by the police. 'Justification' extends into phrases like 'self-justification,' and idioms like 'beyond (all) justification,' denoting completely unjustifiable or indefensible situations.
