What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
justified
Example
The company's decision to lay off employees was justified due to the financial losses. [justified: adjective]
Example
She felt justified in leaving the party early because she had an early morning meeting. [justified: verb]
Example
His anger towards his boss was justified because of the unfair treatment he received. [justified: adjective]
reasonable
Example
The price of the product seems reasonable considering its quality. [reasonable: adjective]
Example
It's reasonable to assume that traffic will be heavy during rush hour. [reasonable: adjective]
Example
Her request for a day off was reasonable given her workload. [reasonable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reasonable is more commonly used than justified in everyday language. Reasonable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while justified is less common and often used in specific legal or moral contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between justified and reasonable?
Both justified and reasonable can be used in formal and informal contexts, but justified is more likely to be used in formal settings such as legal or academic writing.
