defensible

1 of 2

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

defensibility

2 of 2

noun

de·​fen·​si·​bil·​i·​ty də̇ˌfen(t)səˈbilətē 

(ˌ)dēˌ-, 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being defensible

Synonyms of defensible

Adjective

• defendable
• defended
• protected
• secured

Examples of defensible in a Sentence

Adjective

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

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

The effort helps homeowners create defensible space, one of the most effective ways to improve a home's chances of surviving a wildfire. —Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 16 June 2026

The decisions are individually defensible. —François Candelon, Fortune, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for defensible

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