indefensible

adjective

in·​de·​fen·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being maintained as right or valid : untenable

b

: incapable of being justified or excused : inexcusable

indefensible comments

2

: incapable of being protected against physical attack

indefensibility

ˌin-di-ˌfen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

indefensibly

ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• inexcusable
• inexpiable
• insupportable
• unforgivable
• unjustifiable
• unpardonable
• unwarrantable

Examples of indefensible in a Sentence

The company adopted an indefensible position on the issue.

His behavior is ethically indefensible.

The city is in an indefensible location.

Recent Examples on the Web

The prevailing food waste, however, is more than indefensible. —Vaclav Smil, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024

At a certain point, that lack of balance becomes indefensible. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Trump’s vitriolic bile claiming Kamala Harris will destroy Israel is absolutely indefensible on several levels. —Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024

Continuing to post on X has been indefensible for some time. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

indefensible

adjective

in·​de·​fen·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl 

: impossible to defend

an indefensible position