less justifiable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less justifiable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the justification of two or more actions, decisions, or beliefs, indicating that one is not as justifiable as the other. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the arts is less justifiable than the decision to reduce spending on sports programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Less justifiable, though, is the self-obsession.

The Guardian - Books

Rising prices make that subsidy even less justifiable than it might otherwise be.

The Economist

Less justifiable for the name change at Foggy Bottom is the connotation of "toilet".

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps less justifiable, however, is the dispirited wistfulness which tends to go along with such remarks.

The Guardian - Opinion

If, however, dynamic changes are a main driver of the change in risk, the assumption might be less justifiable.

Nature

Saying it out loud made my absence from her life seem longer and a lot less justifiable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

So all things considered, it's probably a safe bet that the Saudi program is legit and more-or-less justifiable, right?

Vice

But where abatement costs are more uniform across sources, the political costs of enacting an allowance trading approach are less likely to be justifiable.

HuffPost

But, according to the FBI, of the approximately 11,000 gun homicides every year, on average less than 300 are justifiable self-defense killings.

Huffington Post

There are therefore many ways in which the treatment of older patients with breast cancer may differ from that of younger patients, some justifiable, others less so.

British Journal of Cancer

If it isn't justifiable to spend less than a penny in each pound on transparency, something is wrong with our right-to-know laws.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less justifiable", ensure you provide a clear comparison or contrast to what is considered more justifiable. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "less justifiable" in isolation without clarifying what the subject is being compared to. Without this context, the phrase can lack impact and leave the reader unsure of the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less justifiable" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun by indicating that something has a weaker justification than something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less justifiable" is a comparative adjective phrase used to express that something is not as easily defended or supported as something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While it is suitable for formal settings, the phrase is also accessible in more general communication. When using "less justifiable", ensure you provide context by clearly stating what is being compared, thus enhancing clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "less defensible" or "more questionable" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less defensible

Direct synonym, highlighting the reduced capacity to justify an action or decision.

more questionable

Highlights the increased doubt or uncertainty surrounding something.

not easily supported

Focuses on the lack of readily available evidence or reasons for support.

less legitimate

Focuses on the reduced lawfulness, permissibility, or moral correctness.

more difficult to defend

Focuses on the difficulty in providing a rationale or support.

weaker rationale

Highlights the diminished strength of the reasoning behind something.

harder to excuse

Emphasizes the reduced ability to find acceptable reasons for something.

less reasonable

Indicates a departure from logical or sensible thinking.

not as warranted

Emphasizes the absence of sufficient reasons or grounds for something.

more challenging to validate

Highlights the increased difficulty in confirming or supporting the truth or accuracy of something.

FAQs

How can I use "less justifiable" in a sentence?

You can use "less justifiable" to compare the validity of two different actions or decisions. For instance, "The decision to cut funding for education is "less justifiable" than reducing spending on less essential programs."

What's a good alternative to "less justifiable"?

Alternatives to "less justifiable" include "less defensible", "more questionable", or "harder to excuse", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less justifiable"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Less" is used to compare adjectives, and "justifiable" is an adjective, making "less justifiable" a valid comparative phrase.

What's the difference between "less justifiable" and "unjustifiable"?

"Less justifiable" implies that there are some reasons or arguments that could potentially support an action, but they are weak or insufficient. "Unjustifiable" means that there is absolutely no valid justification for the action.