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 Words From

• 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

Ending legacy admissions may be defensible in the service of equity, but it’s neither necessary nor sufficient to increase lower-income students’ access to higher education.

From Los Angeles Times

They preached about the effectiveness of “defensible space,” advocating that residents prune grasses, saplings and lower limbs immediately adjacent to their homes.

From Los Angeles Times

If you actually see a fire, it’s a defensible warning.

From Los Angeles Times

Davis noted that the Republican AGs and conservative groups argued “maintaining this broad injunction was defensible because to impose these rules on schools at the last minute would cause great expense and so on.”

From Salon

Purchasing or building property in hazard areas can come with certain requirements, such as the need to maintain defensible space or conduct annual brush clearance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• logical
• permissible
• plausible
• tenable
• valid