Close in meaning to an explanation, a justification is specifically for defending or explaining an event. The idea that he was just trying to scare his little sister was a pretty weak justification for the elaborate gag.

Like its close cousin "justice," justification is derived from the Latin justificare, which means "to make right." When you offer a justification, you're trying to make something right—or, perhaps, even just. The notion that animals don't have emotions is one of the key justifications for allowing them to suffer. For many people, though, the fact that they suffer is justification enough to prevent it.

Definitions of justification
  1. noun
    the act of defending or explaining or making excuses for by reasoning
    “"the justification of barbarous means by holy ends"- H.J.Muller”
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    type of:
    exoneration, vindication
    the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.
  2. noun
    “he considered misrule a justification for revolution”
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    type of:
    circumstance, condition, consideration
    information that should be kept in mind when making a decision
  3. noun
    a statement in explanation of some action or belief
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    cause, grounds, reason
    a justification for something existing or happening
    defence, defense, vindication
    the justification for some act or belief
    apologia, apology
    a formal written defense of something you believe in strongly
    alibi, exculpation, excuse, self-justification
    type of:
    account, explanation
Word Family