defensible

[ dih-fen-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of being defended against assault or injury:

   The troops were bivouacked in a defensible position.

2. that can be defended in argument; justifiable.

   Synonyms: warrantable, allowable, tenable, fit, suitable

defensible

/ dɪˈfɛnsɪbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being defended, as in war, an argument, etc

Derived Forms

• deˌfensiˈbility, noun
• deˈfensibly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• de·fensi·bili·ty de·fensi·ble·ness noun
• de·fensi·bly adverb
• nonde·fensi·bili·ty noun
• nonde·fensi·ble adjective
• nonde·fensi·ble·ness noun
• nonde·fensi·bly adverb
• unde·fensi·ble adjective
• unde·fensi·ble·ness noun
• unde·fensi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of defensible¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Late Latin defēnsibilis, equivalent to Latin defēns ( us ) ( defense ) + -ibilis -ible; replacing Middle English defensable < Old French < Late Latin defēnsābilis, equivalent to defēnsā ( re ) (frequentative of dēfendere to defend ) + -bilis -ble

Example Sentences

Schulz riffing on his infant resembling a Puerto Rican may be a tad more defensible than Hinchcliffe’s bigotry nuke at Madison Square Garden.

From Salon

“Tesla advised that the best thing to do was to set up a perimeter of about 45 feet of defensible space around the vehicle once we pulled it out,” Shevitz said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Friday meeting demonstrated the Full Trump, a leader whose basic conception of geopolitics is defensible, but whose manners are deplorable.

From Salon

That is still a defensible proposition, despite everything that has happened.

From Salon

Gross is among two dozen law professors who signed a legal analysis sent to more than 100 universities unpacking how “DEI initiatives remain legally defensible” amid broader federal attacks on diversity programs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• logical
• permissible
• plausible
• tenable
• valid