warranted: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral. Common in legal, business, academic, and official discourse; less common in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “warranted” mean?
justified, authorized, or made necessary by the circumstances.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
justified, authorized, or made necessary by the circumstances; having a legitimate reason.
Can mean officially certified or guaranteed (e.g., a warranted product). In philosophy/law, refers to having adequate grounds for a belief or action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The verb 'warrant' is slightly more common in AmE legal contexts. The adjective 'warranted' is used similarly.
Connotations
Similar connotations of justification and authority in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both BrE and AmE in formal registers.
Grammar
How to Use “warranted” in a Sentence
It is warranted that + clause (formal)Noun + warranted + by + noun phraseBe warranted in + -ing formVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “warranted” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The evidence warranted a full investigation.
- The situation warranted their immediate departure.
American English
- The damage warranted filing an insurance claim.
- His behaviour warranted disciplinary action.
adverb
British English
- This is warrantedly the best solution available. (Rare, formal)
- They acted warrantedly in self-defence.
American English
- The CEO was warrantedly concerned about the quarterly report. (Rare, formal)
- The criticism was warrantedly harsh.
adjective
British English
- Their victory was a warranted result of superior play.
- She felt a warranted sense of pride.
American English
- The justified (or warranted) use of force is a legal standard.
- His concerned reaction was warranted given the news.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The investment was warranted by the projected growth.' (Used to justify decisions or expenditures.)
Academic
'The hypothesis was not warranted by the available data.' (Used in argumentation and research.)
Everyday
'My panic wasn't warranted; it was just a minor issue.' (Justifying or questioning an emotional reaction.)
Technical
'A system reboot is warranted if the error persists.' (Standard procedure or recommended action.)
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “warranted”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “warranted”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “warranted”
- Using 'warranted' to mean 'wanted' or 'desired' (e.g., 'This is highly warranted' meaning 'in demand'). Confusing 'warranted' (justified) with 'warrantied' (covered by a warranty).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Warranted' means 'justified' or 'authorised'. 'Guaranteed' means 'promised with certainty'. A product can be *guaranteed* (has a warranty) because its quality is *warranted* (justified).
Yes, 'unwarranted' (meaning unjustified) is more frequent in everyday language, often used to criticise actions or feelings as being over the top or baseless.
They are very close synonyms. 'Warranted' often carries a slightly more formal or official nuance, sometimes implying authorisation by rules or evidence. 'Justified' is more general.
It is common in formal, academic, legal, and business writing. In everyday spoken English, words like 'justified', 'reasonable', or 'called for' might be used more frequently.
justified, authorized, or made necessary by the circumstances.
Warranted is usually formal to neutral. common in legal, business, academic, and official discourse; less common in casual conversation. in register.
Warranted: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɒr.ən.tɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɔːr.ən.t̬ɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Warrant out for someone's arrest (legal, from verb 'warrant')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WARRANTY on a product – it's a GUARANTEE. If something is WARRANTED, it is GUARANTEED to be justified.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTIFICATION IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT (a 'warrant' authorizes action).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'warranted' used INCORRECTLY?