defensible

adjective

de·​fen·​si·​ble di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl 

: capable of being defended

defensible theories

a defensible hill

defensibility

di-ˌfen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌdē-

noun

defensibly

di-ˈfen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• defendable
• defended
• protected
• secured

Examples of defensible in a Sentence

Both candidates hold defensible positions on the issue.

Under those circumstances, her actions were completely defensible.

Slavery is not morally defensible.

The city has a defensible location.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maranghides told me that the idea of defensible space has at times become part of the problem. —Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025

Some financial advisors have gone beyond even that level, saying up to 40% in cryptocurrency is defensible as an investing approach. —Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025

These mandates, which sound somewhat feasible and defensible on paper, may have unintended consequences in practice. —Kevin Frazier, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025

Again, that’s a product of the reset, a defensible move that has the Grizzlies in possession of multiple high-ceiling assets. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English defensable, defensible "ready to fight, easily defended," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin dēfensābilis "able to be defended," from Latin dēfensāre "to act in defense" (frequentative of dēfendere "to defend") + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for defensible

• sensible
• compensable
• condensable
• dispensable
• extensible
• insensible
• ostensible
• comprehensible
• indefensible
• indispensable
• reprehensible
• supersensible