somewhat justifiable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat justifiable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the validity or reasonableness of an action, decision, or belief that has some merit but may not be entirely justified. Example: "While the decision to raise prices was somewhat justifiable due to increased costs, it still upset many loyal customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Per the first, the ignorance is somewhat justifiable.

Huffington Post

Kirkman expressed that the death of Otis was a "somewhat justifiable homicide", and retorted that "Otis was slowing him down, and Carl's life hangs in the balance".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Other people have a fairly justifiable worry".

The New York Times

Pretty justifiable choice, right?

Huffington Post

The critics didn't like Cars 2 last year and I suspect there was justifiable frustration over the somewhat lazy sequel and its weak plot.

The Guardian - Film

In high school, this somewhat paranoid sense of comparison was justifiable because everyone was striving for the same goal: to get into college.

Huffington Post

In the view of James Campbell, the bias in the sources has led historians to see Æthelwold's rebellion as a "somewhat odd episode", but he had a justifiable claim to the kingship, and he was nearly successful; if he had not been killed at the Holme, he might have united England with much less warfare than ultimately proved to be necessary.

Wikipedia

Justifiable pleasure?

The New York Times - Books

Justifiable favourites?

The Guardian - Sport

Or at least justifiable.

The New York Times

Is that justifiable?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat justifiable", clarify the specific aspects that make the action or decision partially reasonable. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat justifiable" when the action or decision is clearly wrong or lacks any real justification. It's crucial to accurately reflect the limited nature of the justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat justifiable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It indicates a partial or limited degree of justification. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is usable in written English when discussing the validity or reasonableness of something that has some merit but is not entirely justified.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat justifiable" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating a partial or limited justification. Though Ludwig confirms its correctness, its rare usage suggests it's best employed when precision is key and a qualified assessment is intended. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "partially justifiable" or "partly defensible" may offer greater nuance depending on the specific context. When using "somewhat justifiable", always provide clarifying details to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially justifiable

Emphasizes the partial nature of the justification, similar to "somewhat", but with a slightly more formal tone.

partly justifiable

Synonymous with 'partially justifiable', stressing that the justification is not complete or absolute.

partially defensible

Shifts the focus to the idea of defending the action or belief, suggesting a degree of support despite potential criticisms.

partly excusable

Highlights the aspect of being excused or forgiven to some extent, implying a mitigating circumstance.

partially warranted

Indicates that there is some basis or reason to support the action or belief, but not fully.

marginally justifiable

Suggests that the justification is barely acceptable or only slightly valid.

to a limited extent justifiable

Expresses the idea of justification being confined to a certain degree or scope.

not entirely unjustifiable

Uses a double negative to convey a mild degree of justification, implying that there are reasons to support the action or belief.

somewhat reasonable

Replaces 'justifiable' with 'reasonable', focusing on the logical or rational aspect of the action or belief.

partially understandable

Shifts the focus to understanding why the action or belief might occur, rather than directly justifying it.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat justifiable" to describe actions or decisions that have some merit but are not entirely justified. For example, "The price increase was "somewhat justifiable" due to rising costs, but customers were still unhappy."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat justifiable"?

Alternatives include "partially justifiable", "partly defensible", or "somewhat reasonable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "somewhat justifiable" or "completely justifiable"?

The choice depends on the context. "Completely justifiable" indicates full and total justification, while "somewhat justifiable" suggests that the justification is limited or partial.

What's the difference between "somewhat justifiable" and "understandable"?

"Somewhat justifiable" implies that there are reasons or arguments that support an action or decision, even if not entirely convincingly. "Understandable" focuses on the ability to comprehend why something happened, without necessarily implying approval or justification.