adjective
excusable
ik-SKYOO-zuh-bul/ɪkˈskjuːzəbl/
Acceptable enough to be forgiven or overlooked.
The cyclist's late arrival is excusable because of the flat tire.
Etymology
The roots suggest release from an accusation, and the ending makes this something possible. As “excuse” came to mean pardon or justify, “excusable” described a fault that circumstances allow someone to forgive.
In context
she acts to support her life and that is sometimes not merely excusable but pardonable and even worthy of the divine grace for God forbids suicide
More examples
- A few typos are excusable in a first draft.
- Forgetting her name is excusable when you meet so many people.
- An honest mistake is excusable, but deliberate cheating is not.
Forms
excusable
excuse verb — To forgive a fault or mistake.
inexcusable adjective — Too serious to forgive or overlook.
Similar words
- forgivable
- Emphasizes willingness to forgive rather than circumstances explaining a fault.
- justifiable
- Means defensible as reasonable or right, not merely forgivable.