indefensible

[ in-di-fen-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not justifiable; inexcusable:

   indefensible behavior.

2. incapable of being protected or defended against attack:

   an indefensible town.

   Synonyms: unprotected, defenseless, vulnerable

3. incapable of being defended against criticism or denial; untenable:

   indefensible argument.

indefensible

/ ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsəbəl /

adjective

1. not justifiable or excusable
2. capable of being disagreed with; untenable
3. incapable of defence against attack

Derived Forms

• ˌindeˈfensibly, adverb
• ˌindeˌfensiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• inde·fensi·bili·ty inde·fensi·ble·ness noun
• inde·fensi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indefensible¹

First recorded in 1520–30; in- ³ + defensible

Example Sentences

But controversy later struck when Murray used Fighting Talk's 'Defend the Indefensible' segment to ask panellists whether they would be able to "turn" the sexuality of openly gay broadcaster Clare Balding.

From BBC

No one on the left, no matter how frustrated they are with the party’s policies—as indefensible as they are in Gaza and on immigration, to name two justified sources of ire against this campaign—should want to find themselves in that grim position.

From Slate

Fox isn’t alone in defending the indefensible.

From Los Angeles Times

"The failure of state premiers to attend the reception in Canberra is completely indefensible," she told the BBC, accusing them of "gesture-led politics".

From BBC

The group has been accused of papering over an indefensible status quo by some to its left and of not really supporting Israel by those to its right.

From Slate

Related Words

• unforgivable
• unjustifiable
• untenable