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Synonyms

cognizable

American  
[kog-nuh-zuh-buhl, kon-uh-, kog-nahy-] / ˈkɒg nə zə bəl, ˈkɒn ə-, kɒgˈnaɪ- /

adjective

  1. capable of being perceived or known.

  2. being within the jurisdiction of a court.


cognizable British  
/ ˈkɒɡnɪzəbəl, ˈkɒnɪ- /

adjective

  1. perceptible

  2. law susceptible to the jurisdiction of a court

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does cognizable mean? Cognizable means capable of being perceived or known. A close synonym is perceptible. The related adjective cognizant means aware of something or having knowledge of it. Such awareness can be called cognizance. In a legal context, cognizable is used in a more specific way meaning within the jurisdiction of a court. Example: At what point did you become cognizant of the fact that you were not receiving everything that you were promised?

Other Word Forms

  • cognizably adverb
  • noncognizable adjective
  • noncognizably adverb
  • precognizable adjective
  • uncognizable adjective

Etymology

Origin of cognizable

First recorded in 1670–80; cogniz(ance) + -able

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That case was dismissed in 2019 for a "failure to allege a cognizable legal theory"; the latest lawsuits' "natural" claims represent a different tactic.

From Salon • May 21, 2024

This issue, which goes all the way to the Supreme Court, is that everyone wants to suggest that nobody has standing to bring this litigation because Amanda has already had her cognizable harm and injury.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2023

“In short, she gambled. The mere fact that defendants profited from her misfortune, while lamentable, does not establish a cognizable claim in the law.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2023

“Police officers have a particular, cognizable privacy and liberty interest in not being publicly identified or having their personnel files or disciplinary records made publicly available,” the FOP’s amended complaint says.

From Washington Post • Dec. 21, 2022

It is much easier to acquire knowledge from things cognizable to the senses than from books.

From Cotton is King, and Pro-Slavery Arguments Comprising the Writings of Hammond, Harper, Christy, Stringfellow, Hodge, Bledsoe, and Cartrwright on This Important Subject by Elliott, E. N.