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

In an effort to ease costs, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis in May signed a bill that requires insurance companies to offer discounts to policyholders who take risk mitigation measures, such as establishing defensible space around their property, or hardening their home against wildfires. —Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2025

Fire risk is defined as the potential damage a fire can do to an area in its existing condition, which can lead to municipalities requiring fuel reduction projects, defensible space and ignition resistant building construction. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 July 2025

Firing a losing president of baseball operations is defensible as long as ownership has a plan. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 7 July 2025

Like many former holdouts, Kevin felt that his judicious use of A.I. was more defensible than his peers’ use of it. —Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 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