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 of justifiable

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

Examples of justifiable in a Sentence

had justifiable reasons for leaving early

Recent Examples on the Web

The guilty plea was entered in October without any agreement on a sentence from the state, which still sought the death penalty, and meant Banegas was forgoing any argument of justifiable homicide. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026

Others said that the shooting is seemingly an extreme case and that charges might have been justifiable. —Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026

For much of the 20th century, Sweden enjoyed a justifiable reputation as one of Europe’s most egalitarian countries. —Miranda Sheild Johansson, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026

The number of killings investigated last year fell to 67, with 57 of those categorized as murders — excluding cases such as justifiable homicides — a total not seen since 1967, according to data compiled by this news organization. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

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