defensible
adjective
de·fen·si·ble di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl 
: capable of being defended
defensible theories
a defensible hill
defensibility
di-ˌfen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun ˌdē-
defensibly
di-ˈfen(t)-sə-blē
adverb 
Synonyms
- defendable
- tenable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Both candidates hold defensible positions on the issue. Under those circumstances, her actions were completely defensible. Slavery is not morally defensible. The city has a defensible location.
Recent Examples on the Web Some of what Yglesias seems to be saying in this tweet is defensible. 
Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 18 July 2022 Although some guesses are certainly better than others, many choices are defensible. New York Times, 7 July 2022 In isolation, the move is defensible, even if general manager Perry Minasian was vague in defending it. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 If assessments direct additional resources to students who need it, Cornell added, then disparities in rates of assessment might be defensible. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 7 June 2022 Berggruen's preference for ideas with impact is defensible in itself. Samuel Goldman, The Week, 8 Apr. 2022 Most Californians know there should be 100 feet of defensible space around homes. Julie Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 June 2022 Fire officials also asked residents to create 100 feet of defensible space around buildings on their property and to plant fire resistant and drought-tolerant plants. San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2022 The test car, painted in Melbourne Red Metallic and gilded with $9,225 worth of options—including uprated rear differential and brakes, sport suspension and steering—went out the door for an entirely defensible, obviously sensible $46,570. Dan Neil, WSJ, 19 May 2022 See More
Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 18 July 2022 Although some guesses are certainly better than others, many choices are defensible. New York Times, 7 July 2022 In isolation, the move is defensible, even if general manager Perry Minasian was vague in defending it. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 If assessments direct additional resources to students who need it, Cornell added, then disparities in rates of assessment might be defensible. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 7 June 2022 Berggruen's preference for ideas with impact is defensible in itself. Samuel Goldman, The Week, 8 Apr. 2022 Most Californians know there should be 100 feet of defensible space around homes. Julie Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 June 2022 Fire officials also asked residents to create 100 feet of defensible space around buildings on their property and to plant fire resistant and drought-tolerant plants. San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2022 The test car, painted in Melbourne Red Metallic and gilded with $9,225 worth of options—including uprated rear differential and brakes, sport suspension and steering—went out the door for an entirely defensible, obviously sensible $46,570. Dan Neil, WSJ, 19 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English defensable, defensible "ready to fight, easily defended," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin dēfensābilis "able to be defended," from Latin dēfensāre "to act in defense" (frequentative of dēfendere "to defend") + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)" — more at -able
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
defensible
adjective
1
as in defendable
capable of being defended against physical attack the pioneers retreated to a defensible hillside to take a stand against the raiders Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- defendable
- defended
- protected
- secured
- guarded
- tenable
- secure
- safeguarded
- shielded
- unassailable
- inviolable
- bulletproof
- invulnerable
- impregnable
- invincible
- unbeatable
- untouchable
- unconquerable
- indomitable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indefensible
- untenable
- vulnerable
- liable
- undefended
- open
- unprotected
- susceptible
- unguarded
- unsecured
- insecure
- weak
- exposed
- defenseless
- vincible
- powerless
- assailable
- helpless
- imperiled
- imperilled
2
as in justifiable
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack there's simply no defensible reason for dropping out of school Synonyms & Similar Words
- justifiable
- defendable
- supportable
- acceptable
- legitimate
- viable
- rational
- maintainable
- tenable
- sustainable
- reasonable
- sensible
- allowable
- unobjectionable
- admissible
- verifiable
- provable
- well-grounded
- confirmable
- exceptionable
- explainable
- warrantable
- explicable
- passable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- untenable
- indefensible
- unjustifiable
- irrational
- absurd
- ridiculous
- illogical
- unreasonable
- unsound
- extreme
- objectionable
- unsustainable
- unacceptable
- insupportable
- outrageous
- unfounded
- inexplicable
- groundless
- unexplainable