Read the passage from Etiquette, by Emily Post. New York's bad manners are often condemned and often very deservedly. Even thoug
h the cause is carelessness rather than intentional indifference, the indifference is no less actual and the rudeness inexcusable. What is the closest meaning of the underlined phrase as it used in the excerpt? carefully scrutinized justifiably criticized undeniably improper thoroughly convincing
The phrase "condemned and often very deservedly" can be replaced by justifiably criticized without losing meaning. Something that is deserved is justifiable. There is plenty of evidence to show that it is correct. The word criticized means to give judgments on, usually negative. In the passage Emily Post is saying that New Yorkers' manners deserve criticism because they are usually seen as rude because of their indifference.
