unjustifiable

adjective

un·​jus·​ti·​fi·​able ˌən-ˈjə-stə-ˌfī-ə-bəl 

: unable to be justified : not excusable or justifiable

an unjustifiable decision

taking an unjustifiable risk

unjustifiable expenses

unjustifiably

ˌən-ˈjə-stə-ˌfī-ə-blē 

adverb

unjustifiably high prices

Synonyms

• indefensible
• inexcusable
• inexpiable
• insupportable
• unforgivable
• unpardonable
• unwarrantable

Examples of unjustifiable in a Sentence

an unjustifiable attack that must be avenged

Recent Examples on the Web

To convict, prosecutors must prove Penny's use of lethal force was unjustifiable and that Penny acted recklessly and consciously disregarded the substantial risk of putting Neely in the chokehold for so long. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024

Coppola captures the ambivalence of officers continuing to honor the fallen during an unjustifiable and unwinnable war, but the drama is buttoned-up and square. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024

One year on from the appalling, unjustifiable Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and Israel’s ongoing, disproportionate military assault and atrocities in Gaza, the whole Middle East is on the brink of a catastrophic regional war. —Mary Robinson, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024

And lastly, we cannot be held hostage to the voices on the extreme, that are, voices that are applauding starvation and displacement, that encourage collective punishment, that defend the indefensible, that justify the unjustifiable. —Abc News, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

unjustifiable

adjective

un·​jus·​ti·​fi·​able

ˌən-ˈjəs-tə-ˌfī-ə-bəl, -ˌjəs-tə-ˈfī-

: not justifiable

unjustifiably adverb