adjective
1. attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing
• Syn: ↑defensive, ↑justificatory
• Similar to: ↑apologetic, ↑excusatory
• Derivationally related forms: ↑justify (for: ↑justificatory), ↑justify, ↑defensive (for: ↑defensive), ↑defend (for: ↑defensive)
2. providing justification
• Syn: ↑justificatory, ↑vindicatory
• Similar to: ↑exculpatory
• Derivationally related forms: ↑vindicate (for: ↑vindicatory), ↑justify (for: ↑justificatory), ↑justify
Useful english dictionary. 2012.