justifiable

adjective

jus·​ti·​fi·​able ˈjə-stə-ˌfī-ə-bəl 

: capable of being justified : excusable

justifiable family pride

—Current Biography

justifiability

ˌjə-stə-ˌfī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

justifiably

ˈjə-stə-ˌfī-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• defendable
• defensible
• maintainable
• supportable
• sustainable
• tenable

Examples of justifiable in a Sentence

had justifiable reasons for leaving early

Recent Examples on the Web

Twenty-six years ago last week, the Philadelphia Eagles hired a largely obscure Green Bay assistant coach named Andy Reid as their head coach to justifiable skepticism. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2025

Despite this justifiable excitement the road toward comprehensive and pro-growth crypto regulation remains an uphill endeavor for crypto investors and enthusiasts. —Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Is outgoing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recommendation for an additional $55 billion in defense spending justifiable? —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

But if his actions weren’t justifiable, the jury could also say, ‘Hey, [his] actions didn’t kill him. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for justifiable

• leviable
• reliable
• classifiable
• modifiable
• notifiable
• satisfiable
• specifiable
• undeniable
• unreliable
• verifiable
• emulsifiable
• identifiable

Legal Definition

justifiable

adjective

jus·​ti·​fi·​able ˌjəs-tə-ˈfī-ə-bəl 

: capable of being justified

justifiable reliance