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excusable Definition

ex·cus·able (ek skyo̵̅o̅′zə bəl, ik-)

adjective

that can be excused; pardonable; justifiable

Etymology: ME < OFr < excusabilis

Related Forms:

excusable Synonyms

excusable

modif.

pardonable, forgivable, understandable, justifiable, reasonable, defensible, permissible, trivial, passable, slight, minor, vindicable, vindicatory, exculpatory, warrantable, plausible, allowable, venial, remissible, condonable, expiable, explainable, harmless, innocuous, not excessive, not fatal, not too bad, not inexcusable, not injurious, innocent, fair, within limits, not beyond the pale*.

Antonyms inexcusable, unforgivable, culpable.

excusable Usage Examples

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Yet somehow the luck element seems excusable in this game.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: Mistakes ending in deaths of the innocent are not excusable.
  • never: Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
  • only: Calling a fellow wiz a drug addict is only excusable if that wiz actually IS a drug addict.
  • almost: That fact and a nod to Jewel's impressive vocal range make this sour pop ditty almost excusable.
  • therefore: The delay from November 1993 to April 1999 was therefore excusable, almost by definition.