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

• unacceptable
• unjustifiable
• inexcusable
• outrageous
• insupportable
• unforgivable
• unpardonable
• unwarrantable
• vicious

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

It has been driven by Israeli actions that are increasingly seen as disproportionate and indefensible. —Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 23 Aug. 2025

What the Texas Legislature is doing is indefensible – gerrymandering necessarily involves taking portions of the electorate and rendering their voices impotent. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025

Yet, but for the inclusion of Windom, the racial bias was indefensible. —Don Siegelman, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025

By excluding these benefits, the EPA is effectively assigning no value to American lives saved, an indefensible position for EPA. —Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for indefensible

• compensable
• condensable
• defensible
• dispensable
• extensible
• insensible
• ostensible
• comprehensible
• indispensable
• reprehensible
• supersensible
• incomprehensible

Kids Definition

indefensible

adjective

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

: impossible to defend

an indefensible position