justifiable

[ juhs-tuh-fahy-uh-buh l, juhs-tuh-fahy- ]

/ ˈdʒʌs təˌfaɪ ə bəl, ˌdʒʌs təˈfaɪ- /

capable of being justified; that can be shown to be or can be defended as being just, right, or warranted; defensible: justifiable homicide.

Origin of justifiable

From Middle French, dating back to 1515–25; see origin at justify, -able

jus·ti·fi·a·bil·i·ty, jus·ti·fi·a·ble·ness, noun jus·ti·fi·a·bly, adverb un·jus·ti·fi·a·ble, adjective un·jus·ti·fi·a·ble·ness, noun

un·jus·ti·fi·a·bly, adverb

The case against Wilson was never easy to make, given the special laws governing “justifiable homicides” in police shootings.

The Three Biggest Unanswered Questions About Ferguson |Jacob Siegel |November 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are justifiable movie stars in that movie.

What the Hell Is ‘Twee’? A Genre? A Mindset? An Art Form? |Scott Porch |June 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The justifiable concern this spectacle raises is that Republicans stand to lose no matter what they do.

The House GOP’s Big Immigration Fail |James Poulos |June 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It's not, however, in my opinion, a justifiable or moral basis for excluding individuals from the Jewish community.

What to Make of Le Mood's Decision to Disinvite Speakers Over Israel Politics? |Mira Sucharov |November 4, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

Among the ancient Greeks, Aristotle was certainly not one to regard the suppression of justifiable anger as admirable.

Our Right to Revenge After the Boston Attacks |Thane Rosenbaum |May 6, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
And there are justifiable strandings in fogs, on uncharted seas, on dangerous shores, through treacherous tides.

The Mirror of the Sea |Joseph Conrad
He resides in one of the attractive homes at the edge of the city of Walla Walla, and takes a justifiable pride therein.

Lyman's History of old Walla Walla County, Vol. 2 (of 2) |William Denison Lyman
That its distinction is justifiable appears to be shown by the discovery in the same region of a fossil species, L. luganensis.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia |Frank Evers Beddard
All means are justifiable so long as one succeeds in imitating life.

Garrick's Pupil |Auguston Filon
Any further restriction I do not conceive to be, in principle, justifiable.

On Liberty |John Stuart Mill

justifiable

/ (ˈdʒʌstɪˌfaɪəbəl) /

capable of being justified; understandable

justifiability or justifiableness, noun justifiably, adverb