In very frequent use from c. 1760.
1641. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 117. Their unjustifiable designs and pretences.
1674. Essex Papers (Camden), 262. Being resolved never to doe any Thing unjustifyable.
1716. Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), V. 324. An intolerable and unjustifyable Injury.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, II. ii. § 34. 171. They did nothing unjustifiable.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vii. II. 178. That even … Russell had gone to unjustifiable lengths against the government.
1879. Trollope, Cousin Henry, xi. They had been hard words—quite unjustifiable unless [etc.].
Hence Unjustifiableness.
1653. Manton, Exp. James ii. 24. The unjustifiableness of that faith which is without works.
1728. R. Morris, Ess. Anc. Archit., 91. The Unjustifiableness of Proceedings of this nature.
1745. J. Marchant, Expos. Gen. xix. 66/2. The Unjustifiableness of the Means dissecrates the Means.
1853. Ruskin, Stones Ven., III. i. § 14. 9. In proportion to the unjustifiableness of its introduction, was the extravagance of the form it assumed.
