justifiable

1 of 2

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

justifiability

2 of 2

noun

jus·​ti·​fi·​abil·​i·​ty ˌjəstəˌfīəˈbilətē 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality of being justifiable

Synonyms of justifiable

Adjective

• legitimate
• acceptable
• supportable
• defendable
• viable
• rational
• reasonable
• maintainable
• defensible

Examples of justifiable in a Sentence

Adjective

had justifiable reasons for leaving early

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

According to experts, charities generally are not allowed to accept gifts with specific conditions, unless there is a justifiable reason. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

The violence against law enforcement and serious damage to the city are not justifiable. — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

But if the ironic remove of his comic voice was part of what allowed Macdonald to speak so many uncomfortable truths, Apatow creating a remove of his own is justifiable. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

The most justifiable criticism against the DC detective series is that its mysteries play out wordily, without letting the audience in on how its space cops come to major conclusions. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1561, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for justifiable

• liable
• pliable
• triable
• viable
• classifiable
• modifiable
• notifiable
• satisfiable
• specifiable
• undeniable
• unreliable
• verifiable

Legal Definition

justifiable

adjective

jus·​ti·​fi·​able ˌjəs-tə-ˈfī-ə-bəl 

: capable of being justified

justifiable reliance