JUSTIFIABLE Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

justifiable

adjective

ˈjə-stə-ˌfī-ə-bəl

Definition of justifiable

as in legitimate

capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack had justifiable reasons for leaving early

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of justifiable The Fort Worth Independence Day shooting that killed one near Lake Arlington is being investigated as a justifiable homicide, according to a police report. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026 Police are investigating the incident as a justifiable homicide, according to the release. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 Detectives were investigating the incident as a justifiable homicide, police said. — City News Service, Daily News, 28 June 2026 And maybe, Alice wonders, this killer is killing for a justifiable reason. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for justifiable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifiable

Adjective

Existing regulations already provide that obtaining a visitor visa primarily to give birth in the United States to secure citizenship for a child is not legitimate B-visa tourism.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
The team Jon-Eric Sullivan is building is about 10 legitimate NFL players away from having a respectable roster, and have $16 million in cap space to use for enhancements to the roster.

— Omar Kelly August 15, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of legitimate

Adjective

Jones and Ware huddled in the hallway outside Compton's courtroom for more than an hour, coming up with a temporary proposal that was acceptable to both sides.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
The studies concluded that nearby intersections would continue to operate at acceptable levels, but school officials and parents remained concerned about traffic and pedestrian movement during drop-off and pickup.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of acceptable

Adjective

The output has to be supportable, reviewable and grounded in information that can actually survive scrutiny later.

— Arun Ramakrishnan, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Claims about artificial intelligence must be technically accurate, operationally supportable, and consistent with the company’s financial results.

— Perrie M. Weiner, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of supportable

Adjective

For months the university has been briefing journalists that its appointment system is rigorous and defendable, and that the campaign was targeted against a Black academic because of his race.

— Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Even if maritime regulators demanded shippers purchase more defendable vessels, the crews aboard are unready for the challenge.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of defendable

Adjective

If a patient identifies a clinical trial at a viable location and wants to be considered, the patient should contact the trial recruiters directly and ask them, Balch said.

— Michelle Andrews, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
More than point spreads A recent Bloomberg story claimed that a large chunk of Gen Z investors see sports betting as a viable strategy to make money.

— Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of viable

Adjective

Gorbachev, still consolidating power, was taking a risk by bucking anti-American hawks back in Moscow and standing with Reagan to join him in officially ruling out nuclear war as a rational instrument of policy.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Three functions, each making the rational local decision, and together producing an outcome that would not have been chosen for the enterprise as a whole.

— Carsten Polenz, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rational

Adjective

What starts as a reasonable desire to prevent disease can escalate into constant testing and rigid routines built around an ever-growing roster of supplements and experimental remedies.

— John Vorwald, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
The argument about competition against girl athletes is a reasonable one, though apparently very limited in number of events and any advantages.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasonable

Adjective

But working and maintainable are not the same thing, which is where companies start making very expensive mistakes.

— Oleg Lola, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Why These Habits Actually Stick What makes these rules actually maintainable is their quick, flexible, and immediately impactful nature.

— Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026

Definition of maintainable

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justifiability

justifiable

justifiably

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“Justifiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifiable. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of justifiable

adjective

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