JUSTIFIABLE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does justifiable mean? 

• JUSTIFIABLE (adjective)
  The adjective JUSTIFIABLE has 1 sense:

1. capable of being justified

  Familiarity information: JUSTIFIABLE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• JUSTIFIABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Capable of being justified

Similar:

excusable (capable of being overlooked)

Derivation:

justify (show to be right by providing justification or proof)

 Context examples 

Since it is morally justifiable, I have only to consider the question of personal risk.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Hans's taking the law in his own hands was no more justifiable than Dennin's deed.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

You think it justifiable, do you, Copperfield, you who pride yourself so much on your honour and all the rest of it, to sneak about my place, eaves-dropping with my clerk?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

With silent indignation Fanny repeated to herself, Never happier!—never happier than when doing what you must know was not justifiable!—never happier than when behaving so dishonourably and unfeelingly!

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

It is justifiable to enter into war against our nearest ally, when one of his towns lies convenient for us, or a territory of land, that would render our dominions round and complete.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

She had been out-manoeuvred and out-run, to say nothing of her having been unceremoniously tumbled in the gravel, and her arrival was like that of a tornado—made up of offended dignity, justifiable wrath, and instinctive hatred for this marauder from the Wild.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

First of all, as to your return to my house after your most justifiable expulsion—he protruded his beard, and stared at me as one who challenges and invites contradiction—after, as I say, your well-merited expulsion.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I suppose that you will admit that the action is morally justifiable, though technically criminal.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It is a very justifiable cause of a war, to invade a country after the people have been wasted by famine, destroyed by pestilence, or embroiled by factions among themselves.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

“Yes,” I said, “it is morally justifiable so long as our object is to take no articles save those which are used for an illegal purpose.”

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)