self-justification

[ self-juhs-tuh-fi-key-shuhn, self- ]

noun

1. the act or fact of justifying oneself, especially of offering excessive reasons, explanations, excuses, etc., for an act, thought, or the like.

self-justification

noun

1. the act or an instance of justifying or providing excuses for one's own behaviour, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-justification¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Ironically, the same psychological crutch of self-justification can then help in these situations.

From The Daily Beast

They got that, but they got it colored by a distancing, third-person narrative and bouts of self-justification.

From The Daily Beast

No one would read a pamphlet of self-justification so long after the deed, even if I put one out.'

From Project Gutenberg

But I wished to spare him if possible, and give him room for self-justification, so I did not tell you all.

From Project Gutenberg

In Bonaventure a look of distressful self-justification quickly changed to one of anxious compassion.

From Project Gutenberg

To represent the king in his act of self-justification before Osiris was in some measure to anticipate that justification.

From Project Gutenberg

I tasted it just before you arrived and it was delicious, exclaimed Mrs. Vernon in self-justification.

From Project Gutenberg