self-justify
Excuse your actions
To self-justify is to provide reasons or excuses for one's own actions, especially when those actions are questionable or have been criticized.
The term often carries a negative connotation—suggesting rationalization rather than genuine explanation: He spent ten minutes self-justifying instead of just apologizing.
In computing, self-justifying text automatically adjusts its spacing.
Offered reason for wrongdoing
- explanationStatement making something clear
- pretextFabricated motive concealing truth
- alibiDefense of location
- rationaleStated basis for action
reasoning · defense · spin · equivocation · evasion · distortion · misrepresentation · whataboutism
Right and wrong principles
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
guilt · wrongdoing · transgression · misconduct · culpability · blame · defensiveness · face-saving
Inventing acceptable motives afterward
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- egoOne's self-image
- attributionAssigning origin or cause
excuse
Offered reason for wrongdoing
- explanationStatement making something clear
- pretextFabricated motive concealing truth
- alibiDefense of location
rationale · reasoning · defense · spin · equivocation · evasion · distortion · misrepresentation · whataboutism · deflection
morality
Right and wrong principles
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- responsibilityState of being answerable
integrity · guilt · wrongdoing · transgression · misconduct · culpability · blame · defensiveness · face-saving
rationalization
Inventing acceptable motives afterward
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- egoOne's self-image
self-justifytake responsibility
Accept fault for outcomes
own up · confess · come clean · fess up · make amends
just, self, justice, justify, justified, unjustified, justifiable, justification, unjustifiable