justification
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for justification, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A reason or explanation that shows an action or belief to be reasonable or acceptable.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use justification
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin iustificatio, from iustificare, "to make just."
Full origin of justification →Frequently asked questions
What does “justification” mean?
The word “justification” means a reason or explanation that shows an action or belief to be reasonable or acceptable. In plain terms, a reason that makes something seem acceptable, or, in typesetting, how text lines up on the page.
How do you pronounce “justification”?
“Justification” is pronounced juhs-tih-fih-KAY-shuhn (/ˌd͡ʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “justification” in a sentence?
Here is “justification” used in a sentence: “She couldn't find any justification for the delay.”
What is the opposite of “justification”?
The opposite of “justification” — its antonyms — are condemnation and conviction.
What part of speech is “justification”?
“Justification” is a noun.
Where does the word “justification” come from?
The word “justification” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin iustificatio, from iustificare, "to make just.".
Is “justification” a common word?
“Justification” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “justification” have?
“Justification” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a reason or explanation that shows an action or belief to be reasonable or acceptable.
What is the difference between justification and an excuse?
A justification is a reason or explanation that shows an action or belief to be reasonable or acceptable, implying the action was actually right or defensible. An excuse, by contrast, often acknowledges a fault while trying to lessen blame, without necessarily claiming the action was correct.
What does justification mean in typography or word processing?
In typography and word processing, justification refers to aligning text so that its edges line up evenly along a margin, most commonly seen as "full justification," where both the left and right edges of a paragraph are flush.
What is the difference between justification and rationale?
Justification and rationale are closely related, but justification tends to emphasize defending or proving an action was acceptable, while rationale more neutrally lays out the underlying reasoning behind a decision.