Justifiably
adv.capable, thoughtfulformal
What it means
For sound and defensible reasons.
Reach for it when showing that praise, concern, or action has adequate grounds
Residents were justifiably proud of the accessible playground they designed.
Choose between these
7- everyday
the judgment is plainly warranted
not when Rightly can sound morally final where the evidence supports only a reasonable position.
- warm
deservedly
recognition or consequence has been earned
not when Deservedly judges entitlement and cannot replace every reasoned response.
- warm
understandably
the emotional response makes sense in context
not when Understandably explains a reaction without declaring it justified.
- professional
properly
the action follows an appropriate standard
not when Properly can concern procedure or technique rather than reasons.
- professional
the response falls within a defensible range
not when Reasonably is more cautious and may not affirm that the conclusion is correct.
- formal
valid authority or grounds support the action
not when Legitimately can concern legal standing rather than factual wisdom.
- literary
with cause
a concise phrase stresses adequate grounds
not when With cause can sound legalistic or disciplinary in everyday praise.
Said against
3- unjustifiably
- groundlessly
- unreasonably
It naturally appears in
3- justifiably proud
The apprentices were justifiably proud of the bridge they repaired.
- justifiably concerned
Inspectors were justifiably concerned by the widening crack.
- justifiably confident
She felt justifiably confident after three independent checks agreed.
The word family
2Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English adverb sense: with good reason or adequate justification opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.