self-justification
1. [ noun ] a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
Synonyms: excuse exculpation alibi
Examples:

"he kept finding excuses to stay" "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job" "his transparent self-justification was unacceptable"

Related terms: defense extenuation excuse excuse alibi
Similar spelling:   self-gratification
  self-cultivation
  self-activating
  self-accusation