indefensible
Americanadjective
-
not justifiable; inexcusable.
indefensible behavior.
-
incapable of being protected or defended against attack.
an indefensible town.
- Synonyms:
- unprotected, defenseless, vulnerable
-
incapable of being defended against criticism or denial; untenable.
indefensible argument.
adjective
-
not justifiable or excusable
-
capable of being disagreed with; untenable
-
incapable of defence against attack
Other Word Forms
- indefensibility noun
- indefensibleness noun
- indefensibly adverb
Etymology
Origin of indefensible
First recorded in 1520–30; in- 3 + defensible
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If she weren’t such an indefensible character, Bondi’s efforts to save her job would be sad.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
Yet his indefensible opinion in Konan invites precisely that risk.
From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026
There is a recurring sense from many of being on the wrong end of indefensible positions far, far too often, of which this latest row about Lord Mandelson is just the latest case study.
From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026
“The absence of an official transcript is an indefensible demand.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026
And yet even with decent troops the place was clearly indefensible.
From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
