justifiable
[juhs-tuh-fahy-uh-buh l, juhs-tuh-fahy-]
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
baseless, unjust, unforgivable, unjustified, groundless, inexcusable, unconscionable, unfounded, indefensible, uncalled-for, unpardonable, wrong, unmeritedExamples from the Web for unjustifiable
Contemporary Examples
Cameron stood in the House of Commons and said that the events of the day were “unjustified and unjustifiable.”
Historical Examples
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 RecollectionsBill o'th' Hoylus End
He was half angry with himself for a step which now appeared so unjustifiable.
Luttrell Of ArranCharles 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 IslandsJohn Foreman
unjustifiable
- not capable of being justified
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justifiable
- capable of being justified; understandable
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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.
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justifiable
adj.
1520s, from Old French justifiable, from justifiier (see justify). Earlier in same sense was justificable (mid-15c.). Related: Justifiably (mid-15c.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper