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

The valuation of Fernandez is entirely justifiable within the context of the huge fees paid by several Premier League clubs, and specifically City, for high-level central midfielders this summer. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Having lost its attempt to invalidate the FCC’s process for issuing financial penalties, Verizon now wants another chance to argue that the fine itself wasn’t legally justifiable. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

Voters don’t vote for a whole host of reasons — none of them justifiable, in our opinion. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

There may be justifiable reasons for those teams to avoid the Red Raiders, including some residual frustration and anger over the handling of the Brandon Sorsby situation. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 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