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justifiable

justifiable

37 5.1
Fair or acceptable because of the situation
  • adjective
  • /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪəbl/
translation icon : justificable
  • Well, if it would be justifiable in the context you just described, then by the same logic, it would be justifiable here.
  • morally justifiable
  • a justifiable reason
  • fully justifiable

It's a very satisfyingly primal and justifiable thing that they're asking me to do.

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Examples

  • Operation Protective Edge was perceived by Israelis as both necessary and justifiable.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Entirely justifiable in my view.

  • Tell me your understanding of the legal concept... ...of justifiable force?

  • Also, men considered it more justifiable to run a red traffic light than women did.

    Academic text (1994)
  • It's got to be a justifiable, reasonable doubt.

  • Still, in the abstract, many different practices may qualify as fully justifiable relative to any given society.

    Academic text (1990)
  • If you're worried about your kids, I get it, and that's a justifiable worry, but you have to learn how to let go and trust.

  • Small-scale diversified economic activities are surely justifiable in social terms as well.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Such consequences furnish justifiable grounds for active U.S. involvement in promoting peace.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The manager provided a justifiable explanation for the changes in the project schedule.

Synonyms

right
vsjustifiable
1.0

Morally good or fair to do

is about being able to be shown reasonable rather than claiming moral goodness
legitimate
vsjustifiable
602 4.2

Allowed by law or fair rules

is about being able to be shown reasonable not only legal acceptability
reasonable
vsjustifiable
595 2.7

Fair and sensible in thinking and behavior

focuses on being able to be shown right or defensible rather than general good sense
just
vsjustifiable
9 1.1

Fair and morally right

is about being able to be shown reasonable or defensible not asserting inherent rightness
excusable
vsjustifiable
6 3.6

Someone can forgive it because of the situation, for example an honest mistake

is about being able to be shown reasonable or defensible not about forgiveness
justified
vsjustifiable
4 4.1

Having a good reason for an action or feeling

can be shown to be right or reasonable rather than already proven
supportable
vsjustifiable
2 4.9

Able to be defended with good reasons

is about being able to be shown as right rather than only maintained
conscionable
vsjustifiable
  • Formal
1 9.5

In line with what a person thinks is right and fair

is about being made defensible or reasonable to others rather than private conscience
warrantable
vsjustifiable
7.2

Supported by law or by good reason

is the general ability to be shown reasonable rather than just legal authorization

How Justifiable

justifiable
37 5.1

Surface Forms

justifiable positive
justifiabler comparative
justifiablest superlative

Morphology

justifiable = justify (transparent) = justify + able

The word is a clear derivation of 'justify' with the suffix '-able', indicating capability or suitability.

Etymology

Justifiable comes from the root just meaning 'right' and the ending -able meaning 'able to', the same root we see in justice and justify. So, if something is justifiable you can 'show' it is 'right', 'fair', or 'reasonable'.