Justifiably
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.
Words to choose between 7
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when the judgment is plainly warranted
Careful Rightly can sound morally final where the evidence supports only a reasonable position.
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warm
deservedly
Fits when recognition or consequence has been earned
Careful Deservedly judges entitlement and cannot replace every reasoned response.
-
warm
understandably
Fits when the emotional response makes sense in context
Careful Understandably explains a reaction without declaring it justified.
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professional
properly
Fits when the action follows an appropriate standard
Careful Properly can concern procedure or technique rather than reasons.
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professional
Fits when the response falls within a defensible range
Careful Reasonably is more cautious and may not affirm that the conclusion is correct.
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formal
Fits when valid authority or grounds support the action
Careful Legitimately can concern legal standing rather than factual wisdom.
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literary
with cause
Fits when a concise phrase stresses adequate grounds
Careful With cause can sound legalistic or disciplinary in everyday praise.
Opposites 3
- unjustifiably
- groundlessly
- unreasonably
Common phrases 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.
Word family 2
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Flame, not lame, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated