justifiable

[juhs-tuh-fahy-uh-buh l, juhs-tuh-fahy-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR justifiable 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.

Origin of justifiable

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

Related formsjus·ti·fi·a·bil·i·ty, jus·ti·fi·a·ble·ness, nounjus·ti·fi·a·bly, adverbun·jus·ti·fi·a·ble, adjectiveun·jus·ti·fi·a·ble·ness, nounun·jus·ti·fi·a·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for unjustifiable

baseless, unjust, unforgivable, unjustified, groundless, inexcusable, unconscionable, unfounded, indefensible, uncalled-for, unpardonable, wrong, unmerited

Examples from the Web for unjustifiable

Contemporary Examples of unjustifiable

Cameron stood in the House of Commons and said that the events of the day were “unjustified and unjustifiable.”
How Long, How Long Did We Sing that Song?
Colum McCann
June 16, 2010

Historical Examples of unjustifiable

This I imagine to be not ignorance, but unjustifiable license.
Modern Painters Volume I (of V)
John Ruskin
This did really seem to me a ruthless and unjustifiable proceeding.
Adventures and Recollections
Bill o'th' Hoylus End
He was half angry with himself for a step which now appeared so unjustifiable.
Luttrell Of Arran
Charles James Lever
And I cannot but think that the Dean has interfered in a most unjustifiable manner.
Is He Popenjoy?
Anthony Trollope
Thousands of peaceful natives were treated with unjustifiable ferocity.
The Philippine Islands
John Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for unjustifiable

unjustifiable

adjective

not capable of being justified

Derived Formsunjustifiably, adverb

justifiable

adjective

capable of being justified; understandable

Derived Formsjustifiability 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

Word Origin and History for unjustifiable

adj.

1640s, from un- (1) "not" + justifiable. Related: Unjustifiably.

justifiable

adj.

1520s, from Old French justifiable, from justifiier (see justify). Earlier in same sense was justificable (mid-15c.). Related: Justifiably (mid-15c.).