noun

justification

jus-tih-fih-KAY-shun/ˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/

The establishing of someone or something as right.

The broken pipe and receipts provide justification for the repair expense.

A Black woman shows receipts and a repaired broken pipe to explain a necessary expense.

Etymology

justLatinjust, right

+ificLatinto make, to do

+ationLatinaction or process

Built on “make just,” justification came to mean showing something to be right. A justification is the reason or explanation that performs that defense.

In context

Highland Radio Ireland17:02

I can't see any justification for this

Friday's Nine Til Noon Show

More examples

There is no justification for treating her unfairly.
She offers several justifications for delaying the project.
The pastor explains justification as being declared righteous before God.

Forms

justification · justifications

justify verb — To show to be right or reasonable.

justifiable adjective — Able to be defended as right or reasonable.

Similar words

rationale: Explains underlying reasoning without necessarily establishing that something is right.
defense: Answers criticism or accusations rather than simply supplying a reason.
vindication: Emphasizes clearing people of blame or proving them right.