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

"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

They said the additional water in the delta in some years has played an important role in preventing the extinction of delta smelt, and that not making the water available “would be irresponsible and indefensible.”

From Los Angeles Times

She honored those traces even as she ironically nailed their indefensible triviality.

From Los Angeles Times

Bizarrely, many journalists rushed to defend the indefensible.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is appalling and indefensible,” wrote Jonah Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Dispatch.

From Salon

Related Words

• unforgivable
• unjustifiable
• untenable