indefensible

adjective

in·​de·​fen·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce indefensible (audio)
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
indefensibly adverb

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 Tipton’s decision, which effectively seized control of the Biden administration’s authority to set the priorities of a law enforcement agency, was legally indefensible for a whole host of reasons, and the Supreme Court eventually reversed Tipton in an 8–1 decision. Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2024 Sign up 'Our indefensible Mideast military outposts' Michael Brendan Dougherty at National Review The United States must strike back against whoever killed three Americans at a U.S. military outpost in Jordan, near the Syrian and Iraqi borders, writes Michael Brendan Dougherty at National Review. Harold Maass, theweek, 31 Jan. 2024 Meanwhile, Jackie and Simone’s relationship started to really deteriorate when Simone did not defend Jackie’s indefensible behavior regarding Buffie’s infertility. Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2024 Parents on Tuesday faulted the board for associating the district’s own school police to the indefensible actions of a city police force in another part of the country. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for indefensible 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indefensible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indefensible was in 1529

Dictionary Entries Near indefensible

Cite this Entry

“Indefensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indefensible. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

indefensible

adjective
in·​de·​fen·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce indefensible (audio)
: impossible to defend
an indefensible position

More from Merriam-Webster on indefensible

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