colorable
adjective
col·or·able
ˈkə-lə-rə-bəl 
-lər-ə-,
ˈkəl-rə-
1
: seemingly valid or genuine
a colorable claim in law
2
: intended to deceive : counterfeit
colorable and false pretenses
Examples of colorable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are colorable political arguments against President Trump’s deployment of military forces in response to the rioting, arson, and potentially lethal attacks on law enforcement agents in California.
—
Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 9 June 2025
If that has a familiar ring, Democrats can thank lawfare for the end of honorable resignation in the face of colorable criminal charges as a political norm.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Sep. 2024
Unlike sentencing review processes, which are not designed to prompt a full investigative review, conviction review can lead to a full re-examination of cases for which a colorable claim is advanced, and defendants need not wait 20 years before applying.
—Jennifer Rodgers, CNN, 20 Sep. 2022
Given how strongly the NCAA tries to hold on to even the slightest word of dicta to try to claim antitrust immunity, the last thing Congress needs to do to college athletes right now is pass a statute that gives the NCAA’s lawyers another somewhat colorable claim of immunity.
—Marc Edelman, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2021
The lesson here for litigators is that if a UPEPA special motion is at least colorable and not asserted for purposes of delay, that motion should usually be brought.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
Lunchtime can double as an art session or geography lesson with this colorable world map tablecloth.
—Catherine Garcia, The Week, 14 Nov. 2022
There are colorable constitutional objections to each of these proposals.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
Gromacki is particularly a fan of the colorable mats — just the thing to entertain guests at the kids’ table.
—Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 8 Nov. 2021
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Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 9 June 2025
If that has a familiar ring, Democrats can thank lawfare for the end of honorable resignation in the face of colorable criminal charges as a political norm.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Sep. 2024
Unlike sentencing review processes, which are not designed to prompt a full investigative review, conviction review can lead to a full re-examination of cases for which a colorable claim is advanced, and defendants need not wait 20 years before applying.
—Jennifer Rodgers, CNN, 20 Sep. 2022
Given how strongly the NCAA tries to hold on to even the slightest word of dicta to try to claim antitrust immunity, the last thing Congress needs to do to college athletes right now is pass a statute that gives the NCAA’s lawyers another somewhat colorable claim of immunity.
—Marc Edelman, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2021
The lesson here for litigators is that if a UPEPA special motion is at least colorable and not asserted for purposes of delay, that motion should usually be brought.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
Lunchtime can double as an art session or geography lesson with this colorable world map tablecloth.
—Catherine Garcia, The Week, 14 Nov. 2022
There are colorable constitutional objections to each of these proposals.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
Gromacki is particularly a fan of the colorable mats — just the thing to entertain guests at the kids’ table.
—Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 8 Nov. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Colorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colorable. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
colorable
adjective
col·or·able
: having an appearance of truth, validity, or right
if a colorable claim — or better — can be pleaded—D. F. Kolb and M. P. Carroll
D. F. Kolb and M. P. Carroll
colorably
adverb
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