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excusably

excusably

6.3
In a way that can be forgiven because of the situation
  • adverb
  • /ɪkˈskjuːzəbli/
translation icon : excusablemente
  • Her response was excusably emotional, considering the circumstances she faced.

Examples

  • Additionally, it must also be intentionally self-serving rather than merely coincidentally so in order to distinguish acts of violence done defensively or excusably from those done maliciously or opportunistically.

    Blog text (9)
  • I want her story—the episodes in which I figure—to be the one about the compassionate, excusably self-congratulatory teacher who helps the teetering student find her poise, her voice, her way.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • He made an excusably late arrival to the meeting due to traffic.

  • The team's poor performance was excusably attributed to the unexpected weather conditions.

Synonyms

justifiably
vsexcusably
17 4.6

For a good reason that can be shown to be right

allows mercy or leniency rather than only reasoned rightness
defensibly
vsexcusably
1 6.3

In a way that you can show is reasonable and acceptable

emphasizes deserving leniency not just an arguable reason
forgivably
vsexcusably
5.0

People can excuse it because it is easy to understand

is broader, seen as acceptable for reasons as well as mercy
pardonably
vsexcusably
6.8

In a way people can forgive because it does not deserve blame

is broader, also seen as acceptable for justified reasons

Antonyms

2 6.9

In a way that is very wrong and cannot be forgiven

How Forgivable

excusably
6.3
justifiably
17 4.6
defensibly
1 6.3

Surface Forms

excusably positive

Morphology

excusably = excusable (transparent) = excuse + able + ly

Forming an adverb by adding the productive suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'excusable' is a straightforward, standard derivation.

Etymology

Excusably comes from the word excuse, which is built from the parts ex- 'out' and cause 'reason'. So, if something is done excusably, it is done in a way that gives a 'reason' to forgive it.