justification
/ˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən/ (ame, mw)
justification — noun
- justificationsingular
- justificationsplural
1. a reason, explanation, or excuse that someone offers to show why an action, beli
a reason, explanation, or excuse that someone offers to show why an action, belief, or decision is right or acceptable
Rachel offered no justification for arriving late to the staff meeting.
offer + justification + for + gerund
There is no moral justification for treating people unfairly, no matter the situation.
collocation: moral justification
Arjun's only justification was that the instructions had been unclear.
The manager demanded a written justification for every expense over fifty dollars.
A weak justification can sometimes do more harm than no explanation at all.
- reason
more general; does not carry the defensive nuance of 'justification'
- explanation
neutral; may not imply that the action needed defending
- excuse
often implies the reason is weak or apologetic; more informal
- rationale
more formal; focuses on logical principles behind a decision
文法句型
justification + for + noun/gerund
justification + of + noun
justification + that-clause
用法筆記
Commonly followed by the preposition 'for' (justification for [something]) or 'of' (justification of [a decision]). The that-clause form (justification that…) is more formal.
常見錯誤
2. the act of showing or proving that an action, decision, or belief is reasonable,
the act of showing or proving that an action, decision, or belief is reasonable, necessary, or correct
The report provides a detailed justification for the proposed budget cuts.
provide + [adj] + justification + for + noun
In justification of his actions, Hiro pointed to the company's written safety rules.
in justification of + noun
The scientist's findings served as a scientific justification for the new treatment.
The lawyer spent the morning preparing a formal justification of her client's position.
Valentina wrote a long letter in justification of her decision to leave the project.
- defense
can imply a more vigorous or oppositional stance; common in legal contexts
- vindication
stronger; implies that the action was proven correct after doubt
文法句型
in justification of + noun
provide + justification + for + noun
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed phrase 'in justification of' + noun. Unlike sense 1, this sense is uncountable and refers to the process rather than a specific reason. Common with verbs like 'provide', 'offer', and 'serve as'.
常見錯誤
3. a fact, condition, or set of circumstances that makes an action or decision reas
a fact, condition, or set of circumstances that makes an action or decision reasonable or necessary
The storm provided sufficient justification for closing the school early.
sufficient justification + for + gerund
Without strong justification, the judge dismissed the request for a new trial.
without + [adj] + justification
The rising crime rate was the justification for hiring additional police officers.
Economic data gave the committee justification to raise interest rates.
There is clear justification for the government's emergency measures during the flood.
文法句型
justification + for + noun/gerund
justification + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (REASON GIVEN): sense 1 focuses on the reason a person states or offers, while this sense refers to the objective factual basis that warrants an action. Subject is often an event, statistic, or factual condition.