untenable
/' n'ten bl/
Definition
Adjective: 1. Incapable of being defended or justified: Used to describe a position, argument, theory, or situation that is so weak, flawed, or illogical that it cannot be maintained or supported against criticism or attack. 2. Incapable of being occupied or held: Used to describe a physical position, such as a military fortification, that cannot be defended against an enemy.
Usage and Examples
- Describing an argument or theory:
- His central argument was based on false data, making his entire thesis untenable.
- The company's untenable explanation for the data breach only increased public anger.
- Describing a position or situation:
- The scandal put the minister in an untenable position, forcing her to resign.
- Continuing with the current business model is financially untenable.
Advanced Usage
- "Render something untenable": To cause a position or argument to become impossible to defend.
- The new evidence rendered the prosecutor's case untenable.
- "Become untenable": To reach a point where something can no longer be maintained.
- The working conditions had become untenable, leading to a mass walkout.
Variants and Related Words
- Untenability (noun): The quality or state of being untenable.
- The untenability of their legal position was clear to everyone in the courtroom.
Synonyms
- Indefensible: Cannot be defended or justified.
- Unsupportable: Cannot be supported with evidence or logic.
- Unjustifiable: Impossible to justify or excuse.
- Unmaintainable: Impossible to continue or keep in existence.
Antonyms
- Tenable: Capable of being defended or maintained.
- Defensible: Justifiable by argument or capable of being protected.
- Sound: Based on valid reasoning or evidence; secure.
Adjective
-
(of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified
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