totally justifiable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally justifiable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is completely reasonable or defensible in a given context. Example: "Her decision to leave the job was totally justifiable given the circumstances she faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It's totally justifiable, but people don't understand it.

The New Yorker

The numbers we come out with will be totally justifiable".

The New York Times

When religion claims authority in the political sphere, it is unsurprising — and totally justifiable — that atheists and skeptics question the source of this authority.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It has established in my mind that concerns about the bedrock of ethical conduct on Wall Street are totally justifiable," he said in an interview.

The New York Times

But faced with the reality of what is happening, namely raw extortion on the part of a party that, after all, only controls one house of Congress, it would have been totally justifiable.

The New York Times

What was I thinking?" Reached by e-mail, Mr. Norris conceded that "there's a lot of — totally justifiable — sensitivity around a white guy writing about race, money and real estate, so I'm not surprised if people occasionally get prickly".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

You never got the sense that she, or any of those lawyers were afraid, when fear would have totally been justifiable".

Vice

"It really hurts my feelings as a Muslim to see these people doing that and thinking its justifiable when it's totally not justifiable at all in any way shape or form," Zulficar says.

BBC

Ernst Mayr, for example, claimed that 'It would be quite justifiable to ignore Spencer totally in a history of biological ideas because his positive contributions were nil' (Mayr 1982, 386).

SEP

Likewise, Dennett (2015, p. 175) remarked that, although in theory two anthropologists studying a newly contacted tribe with a totally unknown language could construct different but equally justifiable dictionaries for this language, it would be almost impossible to provide an example.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

All bad precedents begin with justifiable measures.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally justifiable", ensure the context provides clear reasons for the justification to avoid sounding overly assertive without support. Provide context.

Common error

While "totally justifiable" is acceptable in many situations, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or defensive. Consider using a more relaxed alternative like "completely understandable" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally justifiable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express that something is completely and unequivocally reasonable or defensible. Ludwig provides several examples where this phrase is used to validate actions, decisions, or beliefs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally justifiable" is a grammatically sound and valid way to express that something is completely reasonable or defensible. While Ludwig indicates that it is correct and usable, it also highlights that its usage is relatively uncommon compared to simpler alternatives. It’s particularly prevalent in news and media, often used to provide a strong validation for actions or decisions. When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports the strong assertion it makes and consider the register of your writing, as overuse in informal contexts may sound overly formal. Alternatives such as "completely warranted" or "entirely defensible" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely warranted

Emphasizes the necessity and appropriateness of the action or decision.

entirely defensible

Highlights the ability to protect and argue for the validity of the action.

perfectly reasonable

Focuses on the logical and sensible aspect of the justification.

fully vindicated

Suggests a complete and thorough validation, often after scrutiny.

absolutely legitimate

Stresses the legal or ethical basis for the action.

unquestionably justified

Implies that there is no room for doubt regarding the justification.

thoroughly substantiated

Highlights that there is sufficient and credible evidence to support it.

clearly permissible

Focuses on the allowance or authorization of the action.

undeniably legitimate

Implies that something cannot be disputed in its legality.

justified without question

Stresses the lack of any basis for doubting the justification.

FAQs

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

You can use "totally justifiable" to emphasize that an action, decision, or belief is completely reasonable or defensible. For example, "Her decision to resign was "totally justifiable" given the toxic work environment."

What are some alternatives to "totally justifiable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "completely warranted", "entirely defensible", or "perfectly reasonable" to express a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "justifiable" and "totally justifiable"?

Yes, "totally justifiable" adds a stronger emphasis and indicates that something is not just somewhat justifiable but completely and unequivocally so. It conveys a higher degree of certainty and validation compared to simply "justifiable".

When is it appropriate to use "totally justifiable" in writing?

"Totally justifiable" is appropriate when you want to strongly assert that something is entirely reasonable and defensible, especially when addressing potential criticisms or doubts. It is commonly used in formal writing, news articles, and persuasive arguments.