Word
unjustifiable
Phoneticsun·jus·ti·fi·able
US/ˌənˌdʒəstɪˈfaɪəbəɫ/
UK/ʌndʒˈʌstɪfˌaɪəbəl/
Definition
adj. so wrong or unfair that you cannot give a good reason for it. You use it when there is no excuse for what happened.
adj. incapable of being defended or shown to be right, reasonable, or acceptable. Often modified by intensifiers such as 'completely' or 'morally' to stress the strength of condemnation.
Examples
“His rude reply to the waiter is unjustifiable.”
“The company called the sudden price rise unjustifiable after customers complained about hidden fees.”
“The report described the delay in sending aid as morally unjustifiable, arguing that officials had clear warnings and enough resources to act sooner.”
Examples
simple
“His rude reply to the waiter is unjustifiable.”
contextual
“The company called the sudden price rise unjustifiable after customers complained about hidden fees.”
complex
“The report described the delay in sending aid as morally unjustifiable, arguing that officials had clear warnings and enough resources to act sooner.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unjustifiable” in context.
Verb
01. condemn as unjustifiable
“The UN condemned the airstrike as unjustifiable under international law.”
verb + prep + adj
02. consider unjustifiable
“Most voters consider the pay rise for MPs unjustifiable during a recession.”
verb + adj
03. deem unjustifiable
“The tribunal deemed her dismissal unjustifiable and awarded damages.”
verb + adj
04. denounce as unjustifiable
“Charities denounced the cuts to foreign aid as unjustifiable.”
verb + prep + adj
05. dismiss as unjustifiable
“Opposition leaders dismissed the tax hike as unjustifiable.”
verb + prep + adj
06. find unjustifiable
“The inquiry found the use of solitary confinement unjustifiable.”
verb + adj
Adjective
07. completely unjustifiable
“The police response to the peaceful march was completely unjustifiable.”
adv + adj
08. entirely unjustifiable
“The five-year delay in settling claims was entirely unjustifiable.”
adv + adj
09. morally unjustifiable
“Many argue that factory farming is morally unjustifiable in the 21st century.”
adv + adj
10. condemn something as unjustifiable
“The EU condemned the invasion as unjustifiable and imposed sanctions.”
11. consider the delay completely unjustifiable
“Passengers considered the twelve-hour delay completely unjustifiable.”
12. entirely unjustifiable invasion of privacy
“Collecting personal data without consent is an entirely unjustifiable invasion of privacy.”
Usage
Often follows linking verbs such as 'be' or 'seem'; also used attributively before nouns.
Real-World Examples
“In 2010, after the Saville report finally concluded that all the victims posed no threat, the British prime minister David Cameron apologised for the “unjustified and unjustifiable” massacre.” “Most types of legal claim are thus blocked by this immunity, including cases about serious human rights abuses and data breaches, and there are no exemptions for unjustifiable conduct.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/unjustifiable