unjustifiably costly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unjustifiably costly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively expensive without a valid reason or justification. Example: "The new software update is unjustifiably costly, considering the minimal improvements it offers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Honda called the final proposal unjustifiably costly and inefficient.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps that's why tech P/Es remain unjustifiably pricey.

Forbes

A seared baby chicken, served without bones and crowned with a crunchy crust of seven different breakfast cereals, is only $19; steamed lobster in a sriracha-citrus emulsion is, at $42, almost uncharacteristically costly, but not at all unjustifiably.

The New York Times - Food

Not unjustifiably.

The New York Times - Food

And federal drug laws are unjustifiably extreme.

The New York Times

All have been carrying unjustifiably high costs.

The Economist

Expectations will rise too, perhaps unjustifiably.

The New York Times - Sports

Costly, yes.

The New York Times - Sports

The Iranian government is indeed "paranoid"—and not entirely unjustifiably.

The Economist

I have always been able to imagine being unjustifiably hated".

The New York Times - Books

Costly addictions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unjustifiably costly", ensure you can articulate the specific reasons why the cost lacks justification. Vague complaints about price are less effective than concrete explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "unjustifiably costly" as a standalone criticism. Always provide context or specific examples to support your assertion. Saying something is "unjustifiably costly" without explaining why weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unjustifiably costly" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often implied) to indicate that something is expensive and that the expense is not justified. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unjustifiably costly" is a phrase used to describe something that is expensive without a good reason. Ludwig AI validates it as correct and usable. It functions as an adjective phrase to express disapproval of a cost, with usage that leans towards neutral and professional settings, frequently found in news articles. Although a relatively rare expression, understanding its appropriate use—emphasizing both the cost and its lack of justification—can add precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively expensive

Focuses more directly on the high cost, without explicitly stating the lack of justification.

unreasonably expensive

Highlights the lack of reason behind the cost.

prohibitively expensive

Emphasizes that the cost makes something impossible to afford or obtain.

unwarranted expense

Shifts the focus to the 'expense' itself being unwarranted, rather than directly modifying 'costly'.

needlessly expensive

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for the high cost.

unjustified price

Replaces 'costly' with 'price', focusing on the monetary value.

rip-off

A more informal term suggesting the price is unfairly high.

overpriced

A simple and direct alternative, suggesting the price is higher than it should be.

exorbitant cost

Uses a more formal word ('exorbitant') to describe the high cost.

unconscionably high price

Emphasizes that the price is shockingly high and morally wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "unjustifiably costly" in a sentence?

You can use "unjustifiably costly" to describe something that is excessively expensive without a valid reason, such as "The new reporting system, the alliance estimated it would be "unjustifiably costly"".

What are some alternatives to "unjustifiably costly"?

Alternatives include "excessively expensive", "unreasonably expensive", or "prohibitively expensive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "unjustifiably costly"?

Use "unjustifiably costly" when you want to emphasize that something is not only expensive but also that there is no good reason for it to be so. It implies a degree of unfairness or inefficiency.

What's the difference between "unjustifiably costly" and "expensive"?

"Expensive" simply means high in price. "Unjustifiably costly" adds the dimension that the high price is not warranted or reasonable. The latter is a stronger critique.