What does "justification" mean?
A reason, explanation, or excuse which someone believes provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.
Justification
/ˌd͡ʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A reason, explanation, or excuse which someone believes provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.
- Grammar: justification is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: account, account for individual differences, alibi, alibiing.
- Useful contrasts: condemnation, conviction, disproof.
- Usage evidence: It is without justification that money has been called one of the greatest inventions of man.
How to use "justification"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "justification" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "justification" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "justification" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "justification" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "justification" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "account" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "justification", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A reason, explanation, or excuse which someone believes provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence. countable
"The growing use of social media to spread anger and dissent in the Arab world has been hailed by western governments as one of the chief justifications for a completely unfettered internet. The US is reportedly funding the secret rollout of technology in Iran in an effort to undermine internet censors in the country."
- 2 the act of defending or explaining or making excuses for by reasoning wordnet
- 3 The forgiveness of sin. uncountable
"[…] to articulate a common understanding of our justification by God’s grace through faith in Christ."
- 4 something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary wordnet
- 5 The alignment of text to the left margin (left justification), the right margin (right justification), or both margins (full justification). uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 a statement in explanation of some action or belief wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"It is without justification that money has been called one of the greatest inventions of man."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "justification"?
Common synonyms include: account, account for individual differences, alibi, alibiing, alibis, amendment intent.
How do you use "justification" in a sentence?
It is without justification that money has been called one of the greatest inventions of man.
How do you pronounce "justification"?
Pronounced /ˌd͡ʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/.
Etymology
From Middle English justificacioun, justification, from Middle French justification, from Late Latin iustificationem, justificationem < iustificatio, from iustifico, from Latin iustus.