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
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Recent Examples of justifiable
Police ruled the incident a justifiable homicide, though his controversial past has long fueled speculation about the true nature of his death.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Border security clearly is national security, so leaving the Border Patrol union untouched is not justifiable.
—The Editors, National Review, 31 Mar. 2025
After winning 64 times out of 82, then four in a row to open the postseason, their attitude was justifiable.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Police classed the shooting as a justifiable homicide, the Los Angeles Times reported.
—Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justifiable
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Border security clearly is national security, so leaving the Border Patrol union untouched is not justifiable.
—The Editors, National Review, 31 Mar. 2025
After winning 64 times out of 82, then four in a row to open the postseason, their attitude was justifiable.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Police classed the shooting as a justifiable homicide, the Los Angeles Times reported.
—Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for justifiable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for justifiable
Adjective
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Once the customers click on the ads, they are directed to a website that looks just like the legitimate Joann website.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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Coffey is also a good midrange shooter (78th percentile efficiency in 2024-25), which gives him a legitimate counter to when teams try to deploy the fly-by closeout against him.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Rather, Evans says, this viral moment is an opportunity to discuss what is acceptable and what isn't in a relationship.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
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Growth without margin — also known as unprofitable growth — is no longer acceptable.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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But Bloomberg reported that Gazprom had concluded such a plan was not viable.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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With a bus system known for being unreliable and inconvenient, some advocates and commuters say work will need to be done to rebuild trust with riders and to entice new ones to see the bus as a viable option.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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And, of course, doing all these things in the presence of clients just shows a complete lack of rational thought.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
29 May 2025
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This is a state where each person settles on a strategy that feels rational given everyone else’s, even if the group as a whole is stuck in mediocrity.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Under coach Manolo González, Espanyol has just placed a reasonable 14th in La Liga.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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International agreements require the owners of the patents on standardized technologies to allow others to use them—to license them to any interested party on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.—
Zoltan Istvan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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With fire danger expected to remain high due to ongoing dry conditions, PNEC encourages residents to prepare now by creating defensible space, planning evacuation routes and staying informed.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2025
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The Wildfire Advisory Group advised the town to focus on five safety initiatives in the event of a wildfire: emergency communications; evacuation plans and routes; fuel reduction and vegetation management; defensible space and home hardening; and education and outreach.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Justifiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/justifiable. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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