justifiable

[juhs-tuh-fahy-uh-buhl, juhs-tuh-fahy-]

adjective

1. capable of being justified; that can be shown to be or can be defended as being just, right, or warranted; defensible.

   justifiable homicide.

justifiable

/ ˈdʒʌstɪˌfaɪəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being justified; understandable

Other Word Forms

• justifiability noun
• justifiableness noun
• justifiably adverb
• unjustifiable adjective
• unjustifiableness noun
• unjustifiably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of justifiable¹

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

Example Sentences

Florida’s landmark stand-your-ground law, intended to afford citizens greater self-defense protections, appears to give incentive for police and prosecutors to classify tough cases as justifiable homicides, according to some criminal-justice researchers.

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The Wall Street Journal analyzed the number of justifiable homicides reported by police agencies that consistently filed monthly crime data to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System from 2019 to 2024.

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Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., said the deal would “undermine domestic producers,” and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., called the concerns of ranchers “justifiable.”

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In addition, not all justifiable homicides are reflected in the data, particularly those that underwent lengthy investigations and were later declared self-defense killings.

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If most people instead view amassing wealth as morally justifiable, such reforms could face limited support.

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Related Words

• acceptable 
• admissible 
• allowable 
• defensible 
• lawful 
• legitimate 
• logical 
• probable 
• proper 
• reasonable 
• understandable 
• valid