an unjustifiable

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unjustifiable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that cannot be justified or defended. Example: "His actions were deemed an unjustifiable breach of trust." Alternative expressions include "an indefensible" and "an inexcusable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've decided to treat that as an omen that at least one of the same-sex marriage referendums will succeed, and that unjustified fears and an unjustifiable inequality are in retreat.

The New York Times

The rough idea is that state action is an unjustifiable exercise of force by an unjustifiably privileged few unless those who wield state power have been authorised to do so by those most likely to be affected by it.

The Economist

"This was an unjustifiable shooting," he said.

The New York Times

Syria called the resolution "an unjustifiable pressure tool".

The Guardian

Claiming that democracy supports such a decision only adds a mischievous gloss to an unjustifiable position.

The Economist

"I hope it is the end of an unjustifiable ordeal," Dr. Hamid, 55, said yesterday.

The New York Times

Might pop back after breakfast, but I feel dangerously close to an Unjustifiable Purchase.

The Guardian

By her logic, any allowances made would be an unjustifiable distinction on the basis of race.

The Guardian - Opinion

To stifle it with a blanket ban is an unjustifiable limitation on the freedom of expression.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then Labour made an impression by pledging to abolish non-dom status – an unjustifiable, partly hereditary tax perk.

Independent

"As Reveal now accepts, the article constituted an unjustifiable and unnecessary intrusion into the claimant's private and family life.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns such as "risk", "expense", "delay" or "intrusion" to provide a sharp critical evaluation.

Common error

Do not use "an unjustifiable" if the action has already happened and you simply mean it was not explained; use "unjustified" for completed actions that were not defended. "Unjustifiable" implies that the action cannot be defended under any circumstances.

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical function, "an unjustifiable" serves as an adjective phrase that acts as a determiner and modifier. According to Ludwig AI, it is almost always followed by a noun to form a noun phrase. It functions as a powerful tool for evaluative language, allowing the writer to attribute a quality of 'indefensibility' to a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unjustifiable" is a highly effective and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to signal that a specific action, decision or state of affairs lacks any logical or moral defense. Data from Ludwig shows a heavy concentration of this phrase within high-authority news outlets and academic journals, confirming its status as a staple of formal critique. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent pairing with nouns like "risk", "burden" and "intrusion", indicating its role in evaluating impacts on society or individuals. Writers should favor this phrase over weaker synonyms when they wish to imply that the subject is not only wrong but fundamentally impossible to defend. Its use requires the indefinite article "an" due to the initial vowel sound, and it serves as a more definitive claim than the related term "unjustified".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indefensible

Focuses on the impossibility of protecting a position against criticism

an inexcusable

Emphasizes the lack of a valid apology or pardoning circumstance

an unwarranted

Suggests that an action was taken without sufficient cause or authority

an unreasonable

Implies a lack of logic or common sense

an untenable

Refers to a situation or theory that cannot be maintained or defended

a baseless

Indicates a complete lack of foundation or evidence

an unpardonable

Carries a stronger moral weight regarding forgiveness

an arbitrary

Suggests the decision was made on a whim rather than reason

a gratuitous

Implies something was done without cause and often unnecessarily

an ungrounded

Points to a lack of factual or logical support

FAQs

How do I use "an unjustifiable" in a sentence?

You can use it to modify a noun to show something is wrong and cannot be defended. For example: "The tax increase was seen as "an unjustifiable" burden on the poor."

What is the difference between "an unjustifiable" and "an unjustified"?

While similar, "an unjustified" usually refers to something that simply hasn't been justified yet, whereas "an unjustifiable" means it is impossible to justify.

What can I say instead of "an unjustifiable"?

Depending on your context, you might use alternatives like "an indefensible", "an unwarranted" or "an inexcusable".

Is it "a unjustifiable" or "an unjustifiable"?

The correct form is "an unjustifiable" because the word following the article starts with a vowel sound.