1
as in defendable
capable of being defended against physical attack
the soldiers' encampment on the open plain was not tenable, so they retreated to higher ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifiable
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack
the tenable theory that a giant meteor strike set off a chain of events resulting in the demise of the dinosaurs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tenable
But the more tenable tea on the name involves eighteenth-century trading ships of the British Empire.
—
Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
David Harris, a University of Pittsburgh law professor specializing in criminal law, said the charges against the protesters are more tenable, given the federal laws against disrupting the free exercise of worship.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Jan. 2026
The premise that China would remain a status-quo power anchored in the old trading order is no longer tenable.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
David Harris, a University of Pittsburgh law professor specializing in criminal law, said the charges against the protesters are more tenable, given the federal laws against disrupting the free exercise of worship.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Jan. 2026
The premise that China would remain a status-quo power anchored in the old trading order is no longer tenable.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
-
The safe, defendable choice wasn’t necessarily the right one though.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While some of the public comments veer into conspiracy-territory, the vast majority surveyed by Futurism express some justifiable anxiety at the idea of a for-profit tech giant spearheading a project like this.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
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His cap hit is justifiable as long as the Sabres are comfortable with his health.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Speaking at Fortune’s Workforce Innovation Summit on Tuesday, the 31-year-old defended sweeping workforce cuts at Bolt—including a recent layoff affecting roughly 30% of employees—as well as his decision to eliminate the company’s HR team.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
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As in traditional sieges, the focus is on the vulnerable flow of supplies rather than a defended position.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
What logic converted the AI's output into a specific, defensible action?—
David Flower,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Residents also should maintain at least 100 feet of defensible space around their homes by clearing flammable vegetation and using safer landscaping practices, according to Cal Fire.—
Haley Parsley,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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Security at the Kansas City Fan Festival, being held on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, is to include metal detectors, a secured perimeter, entrance with clear bags, and access to the festival using a mobile app.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
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As if to emphasize that point, Bass secured support from some of Raman’s political allies.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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And yet Sazan is also a protected area.—
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
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The southern coast of Tenerife is a hotspot environment for the conservation of cetaceans in the wild, particularly within the protected Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
That Ukraine's future in NATO was secure.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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Pew found about 7 in 10 adults (71%) said that the use of AI will make personal information less secure.—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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