self-justifying
UK[ˌself ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪɪŋ]US[ˌself ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪɪŋ]
adj
Attempting to justify or excuse oneself or one's actions, especially without prompting.
adj
(of an argument, system, etc.) Having the property of justifying itself; circular or based on premises that require the conclusion to be true.
Morpheme Breakdown
self
just
ify
ing
self
oneself
just
right
ify
make
ing
adjective suffix
Etymology
The compound adjective "self-justifying" is a modern English formation built from native and Latinate elements. The core concept of "justify" originates from Late Latin justificare, meaning "to act justly" or "to make right," itself from justus (just) and facere (to make). The prefix "self-," of Germanic origin, directs the action inward. Therefore, the literal construction "making oneself right" evolved into the modern abstract meanings: first, describing a person's defensive tendency to excuse their own conduct, and second, describing a logical system or argument that is inherently circular, validating its own assumptions.
Analysis
Structure: self (oneself) + just (right) + ify (make) + ing (adjective suffix)
self: Old English, meaning "one's own person."
just: Latin (via Old French), from justus meaning "righteous, lawful."
ify: Latin-derived suffix, from -ificare, meaning "to make."
ing: Old English-derived suffix, forming present participles and adjectives.
Examples
His self-justifying explanation for the mistake failed to convince his manager.
The theory is dangerously self-justifying, as it dismisses any contradictory evidence as part of a conspiracy.
She regretted the self-justifying tone of her email and decided to send a simple apology instead.