õigustuses

Õigustuses is the inessive form of the Estonian noun õigustus, meaning justification or defense. It denotes the act or state of providing reasons or arguments that support a claim, action, or position. The term is used primarily in legal and rhetorical contexts, but can also appear in general discourse about decision-making.

In legal language, õigustused (nominative plural) refer to the reasons or defenses offered in a case. Example: "Kaitse esitas oma õigustused kohtuasjas" — "The defense submitted its defenses/justifications in the case." In broader argumentation, õigustused are the rationales that justify policies, judgments, or actions. The word "põhjendus" is a common synonym for more general justification, while "õigustus" often carries a formal or legitimizing sense, especially in legal contexts.

Morphology: The singular nominative is õigustus; the inessive singular is õigustuses (meaning "in the justification/defense"); the genitive singular is õigustuse; the plural nominative is õigustused. The form "õigustuses" thus appears in sentences describing the state or location of justification.

See also: related concepts such as põhjendus, kinnitus, and other terms for reasoned defense.