as in legitimate
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack
had justifiable reasons for leaving early
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of justifiable
The term midlist, in contrast, is reserved for new books for which publication seems economically justifiable but are not otherwise expected to become fast-selling bestsellers, and indeed, most new books end up being on the midlist.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors have determined that the police shooting of a man in South San Francisco in December was legally justifiable and no charges will be filed against the involved officers.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
As with Osterweil, who argued that white supremacy can render even violent looting a legitimate act, Piker and Tolentino suggest that certain crimes become not just morally justifiable but even admirable when coupled with a claim against structural injustice.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
The reader must, unknown to themselves, be so moved by the emotional stakes of the debate that only one outcome feels justifiable.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for justifiable
Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors have determined that the police shooting of a man in South San Francisco in December was legally justifiable and no charges will be filed against the involved officers.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
As with Osterweil, who argued that white supremacy can render even violent looting a legitimate act, Piker and Tolentino suggest that certain crimes become not just morally justifiable but even admirable when coupled with a claim against structural injustice.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
The reader must, unknown to themselves, be so moved by the emotional stakes of the debate that only one outcome feels justifiable.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for justifiable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifiable
Adjective
-
Also known as a phantom goal, a ghost goal refers to officiating errors during a football (soccer) match, resulting in either a goal being awarded despite the ball not having crossed the goal line or a legitimate goal being denied.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
-
Maradona initially claimed the goal was legitimate.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Trump has previously said that a suspension of uranium enrichment for 20 years would be acceptable.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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This involved iterative global surveys and consensus workshops to identify key principles, acceptable terminology and ways to implement changes that are feasible and easily communicated.—
Melanie Cree,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Claims about artificial intelligence must be technically accurate, operationally supportable, and consistent with the company’s financial results.—
Perrie M. Weiner,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The safe, defendable choice wasn’t necessarily the right one though.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The valiant effort was the impetus to a viable political career and is but one in a long line of accomplishments from the esteemed congresswoman, whose political career is now coming to a close.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
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The 101-year-old hotel could be brought up to standards, updated and rejuvenated as a viable business if someone were willing to spend the money needed, said Vicky Hansen, a member of Monrovia’s Historic Preservation Commission.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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For most of investing history, that discomfort was rational.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
For all the prior cinematic depictions of storming bunkers and camaraderie under fire, Pressure offers us the quiet heroism of rational restraint in the figure of James Stagg, who weathered his inner storms and bore the courage to be disliked.—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Those deductible expenses generally include reasonable costs of moving household goods and personal effects, plus travel and lodging for the move, but not meals.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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As New York looks forward, however, what are reasonable power expectations for Lindor, Bichette and Polanco, and for Marcus Semien, whose home run totals have dropped from 29 to 23 to 15 to a pace for 12 this year?—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Why These Habits Actually Stick What makes these rules actually maintainable is their quick, flexible, and immediately impactful nature.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
2 June 2026
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The vehicle is easily maintainable and highly adaptable to meet diverse mission and operational needs, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Justifiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifiable. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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