justificatory

American  

[juh-stif-i-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, juhs-tuh-fi-key-tuh-ree] / dʒʌˈstɪf ɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˈdʒʌs tə fɪˌkeɪ tə ri /

Also justificative

adjective

1. serving to justify; providing justification.

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justificatory British  

/ ˈdʒʌstɪfɪˌkeɪtərɪ, -trɪ, ˈdʒʌstɪfɪˌkeɪtɪv /

adjective

1. serving as justification or capable of justifying; vindicatory

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Etymology

Origin of justificatory

1570–80; < Late Latin justificā ( re ) to justify + -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Clinging onto the property/person distinction or hiding behind the justificatory force of welfare laws, and doing nothing more than re-asserting speciesism and human exceptionalism, are just not very convincing in this day and age.

From Slate • Jun. 17, 2022

They must thus cover them with dollops of justificatory pride, to lever some notional dollop of happiness.

From The Guardian • Jul. 24, 2012

He himself published in London in 1803 five octavo volumes of Memoirs, justificatory of his proceedings in that contest.

From Toronto of Old by Scadding, Henry

Accompanying the message, as documents justificatory of the action to be taken, were four official papers.

From Sea Power in its Relations to the War of 1812 Volume 1 by Mahan, A. T. (Alfred Thayer)

Alcaraz fortifies his views by some documents, and by a justificatory commentary of the Marques himself.

From Mexico, Aztec, Spanish and Republican Vol. 1 of 2 A Historical, Geographical, Political, Statistical and Social Account of That Country From the Period of the Invasion by the Spaniards to the Present Time; With a View of the Ancient Aztec Empire and Civilization; A Historical Sketch of the Late War; And Notices of New Mexico and California by Mayer, Brantz