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 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

Appalled by the failure to answer many questions, Democrats responded with what was often, though not always, justifiable outrage. — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

The tax revolt was a successful attempt by a small group of ideologues to capitalize on people’s justifiable anger at the cost-of-living crisis that followed the war in Vietnam, along with California’s runaway home prices. — Maggie McGowan, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

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