Warranted Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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warranted
[ˈwɒrəntɪd ]
Definitions
legal context
Officially authorized or guaranteed; justified or necessitated by a particular circumstance or situation.
Synonyms
authorized, justified, legitimate.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| warranted |
Used when there is a good reason or necessity for something. Often implies that the action or decision is supported by facts or circumstances.
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| justified |
Used when an action or decision is shown to be right or reasonable. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
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| legitimate |
Used when something is lawful, right, or reasonable. Can be used to describe both legal and moral grounds.
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| authorized |
Used when someone has been officially given permission or power to do something. Often used in formal or legal contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The judge issued a warranted search warrant for the suspect's house.
- His actions were warranted by the imminent threat to national security.
general context
Justify or necessitate (a course of action).
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| warranted |
When an action or decision is reasonable and right based on the situation or evidence, especially in a formal or legal context.
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| justify |
When you need to show or prove that an action or decision is right or reasonable, often in response to a challenge.
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| merit |
When referring to qualities or actions that show a person or thing is worthy of praise or reward.
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| deserve |
When someone has earned something through their actions or qualities, often implying fairness or justice.
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Examples of usage
- The new evidence warranted a reevaluation of the case.
- Her behavior did not warrant such a harsh response.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Law
- In legal terms, a warrant is an official document that allows law enforcement to perform an action, such as search a property.
- When a claim is described as warranted, it means there is legal backing for it, often referencing justified actions.
- Warrants protect individuals’ rights, ensuring that law enforcement has valid reasons before taking action.
Psychology
- Research shows that people are more motivated to act when they feel their actions are warranted, or justified.
- Feelings of fairness and justified actions are linked closely to human satisfaction and mental well-being.
- Cognitive dissonance occurs when people act in ways that aren't warranted by evidence, leading to feelings of discomfort.
Philosophy
- Philosophers often explore the concept of warranted beliefs, which are justified and supported by evidence.
- The debate around what constitutes a warranted belief raises questions about knowledge and certainty.
- Some theories suggest that for a belief to be warranted, it must be supported by sufficient evidence and reasoning.
Everyday Use
- In everyday language, people say something is warranted when there’s a good reason for it, like a compliment or a reward.
- The term is often used in situations like customer service, where a refund might be warranted due to dissatisfaction.
- It can also refer to emotional responses; for instance, grief can be warranted after a significant loss.
Origin of 'warranted'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old French 'garant', meaning to protect or guarantee.
- In late Middle English, it evolved to mean 'to give assurance' or 'to justify'.
- It has roots in the Latin 'warrantare', which means to protect or secure.
The word 'warranted' originated from the Middle English word 'warant' which came from the Old North French 'warant', meaning 'protector' or 'defender'. It has been used in legal contexts to signify authorization or justification since the 14th century.
See also: unwarranted, unwarrantedly, warrant, warranty.