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

If the implicit bargain of Trump’s executive order is that Qatar severs those ties at last, and leaves Hamas in complete isolation, then the price may not only be defensible but strategically shrewd. —Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

But for Almasque, the very nature of this means the tech may not be defensible. —Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025

The zone zero regulations are part of a broader series of defensible space laws that have existed in some form since the 1960s, according to Bigelow. —Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025

Stein said the city is also encouraging residents to clear vegetation on their properties to reduce wildfire risk and to create defensible space. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 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