justifiable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justifiable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether an action, decision, or belief can be defended or deemed reasonable under certain circumstances. Example: "The company's decision to raise prices was deemed justifiable given the increase in production costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was his abuse justifiable in any circumstances whatever?

The Guardian - Sport

Time and again, of course, he came out with the standard and obvious yet probably justifiable lines, but what impressed a little more was the listening.

The Guardian

"The homicides that were not justifiable, where a law enforcement officer is found guilty of homicide, there's no way to identify that," said Planty.

The Guardian

Morris indicated last month that the FBI had no plans to change how it publishes its "justifiable homicides" numbers, repeating that the bureau was required by law to report the figures.

The Guardian

It was justifiable to play this character, but now I've got to be someone else because the initial position that the character would take doesn't quite make sense now.

The Guardian

This mix might be justifiable under the Steiner philosophy, but "broad and balanced" it ain't.

The Guardian

A far more revealing way of looking at the argument is to imagine howls of (justifiable) outrage from religious groups if a baker had refused to ice a cake with a slogan supporting Christianity on the grounds of the shopowner's deeply held atheist beliefs.

The Guardian

More than 48% believed it was either always or sometimes justifiable to "prepare yourself for conflict between groups" in order to defend the "national way of life".

The Guardian

The appeal court judges said they shared the "great deal of justifiable public disquiet" about the case.

The Guardian

"There are some jurisdictions that don't report a justifiable homicide by one of their officers because they don't believe they're crimes," Bueermann said.

The Guardian

A visitor to the FBI web page presenting the "justifiable homicides" figures, for example, encounters no caveat or disclaimer language of any kind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "justifiable", clearly state the reasons or context that make the action or decision reasonable. This enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "justifiable" without providing specific reasons or context. Without supporting evidence, the claim may appear weak or subjective.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "justifiable" primarily functions to describe a noun as being able to be defended or shown to be right. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is correct and appropriate in a wide variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "justifiable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe actions or decisions that can be defended as reasonable or right. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is applicable in numerous contexts, particularly within news, business, and formal communications. The primary function is to provide a defense or explanation, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. When employing "justifiable", ensure you provide clear reasons and context to strengthen your argument, avoiding unsupported generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defensible

Implies capable of being defended against attack or criticism.

defendable

Alternative of defensible.

warranted

Suggests that something is officially approved or reasonably justified.

legitimate

Indicates conformity to the law or to rules.

excusable

Suggests that a fault or offense can be forgiven or understood.

reasonable

Implies being in accordance with reason or logic.

permissible

Indicates something that is allowed or not forbidden.

allowable

Similar to permissible, suggesting something is allowed under a specific set of rules.

vindicated

Suggests being cleared of blame or suspicion, proving something right.

supportable

Capable of being supported or maintained by evidence or argument.

FAQs

How can I use "justifiable" in a sentence?

Use "justifiable" to describe an action, decision, or belief that can be defended as reasonable or right. For example, "The company's decision to raise prices was "justifiable" given the increase in production costs."

What are some alternatives to "justifiable"?

Alternatives include "defensible", "warranted", and "legitimate". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "justifiable" in a formal context?

Yes, "justifiable" is appropriate for formal contexts, such as legal documents, academic papers, and business reports. It conveys a sense of reasoned defense and validity.

What is the difference between "justifiable" and "excusable"?

"Justifiable" means something can be shown to be right or reasonable, while "excusable" implies that a fault or offense can be forgiven or understood. "Justifiable" suggests a stronger defense than "excusable".