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justifiable

[ juhs-tuh-fahy-uh-buhl, juhs-tuh-fahy- ]
/ ˈdʒʌs təˌfaɪ ə bəl, ˌdʒʌs təˈfaɪ- /
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See synonyms for: justifiable / justifiably on Thesaurus.com

adjective
capable of being justified; that can be shown to be or can be defended as being just, right, or warranted; defensible: justifiable homicide.
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Origin of justifiable

From Middle French, dating back to 1515–25; see origin at justify, -able

OTHER WORDS FROM justifiable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use justifiable in a sentence

  • The justifiability of this point of view may scarcely be disputed.

  • On the justifiability of such a course I do not understand that my opinion is asked.'

    It Never Can Happen Again|William De Morgan
  • She saw by the lifting of his eyebrows that he was impressed, that he secretly admitted the justifiability of her summons to him.

    The Pretty Lady |Arnold E. Bennett
  • Among those who ventured to doubt the justifiability of the proposed marriage was Helene's mother, Princess Kuragina.

    War and Peace|Leo Tolstoy

British Dictionary definitions for justifiable

justifiable
/ (ˈdʒʌstɪˌfaɪəbəl) /

adjective
capable of being justified; understandable

Derived forms of justifiable

justifiability or justifiableness, nounjustifiably, adverb
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
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