self-justification

noun

self-jus·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌself-ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce self-justification (audio)
: the act or an instance of making excuses for oneself

Examples of self-justification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As in any American history, those songs are as full of resentment and theft and self-justification as anything kindly or altruistic. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025 The eight of 10 episodes sent to critics largely examine which adversarial characters will be capable of introspection and regret and which will be stuck in self-justification. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-justification was circa 1775

Rhymes for self-justification

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Browse Nearby Words

selfist
self-justification
self-justifying
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Cite this Entry

“Self-justification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-justification. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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