indefensible

adjective

in·​de·​fen·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl 

1

a

: incapable of being maintained as right or valid : untenable

an indefensible argument

b

: incapable of being justified or excused : inexcusable

indefensible comments

2

: incapable of being protected against physical attack

indefensibility

ˌin-di-ˌfen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

indefensibly

ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of indefensible

• unacceptable
• unjustifiable
• inexcusable
• outrageous
• insupportable
• unforgivable
• unpardonable
• unwarrantable
• vicious

Examples of indefensible in a Sentence

The company adopted an indefensible position on the issue.

His behavior is ethically indefensible.

The city is in an indefensible location.

Recent Examples on the Web

The dubiousness of the mayor’s position goes beyond his indefensible gamble with public health. — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Josh Allen, arguably the NFL's best player, is a company man and great teammate for the Buffalo Bills, but Wednesday's defense of the indefensible new uniforms the team is rolling out in the coming NFL season was too much. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Using troops to run, monitor, or tally elections would be legally indefensible absent an actual insurrection preventing people from voting. — James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026

History is filled with systems that were durable, highly organized, and morally indefensible. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for indefensible

• compensable
• condensable
• defensible
• dispensable
• extensible
• insensible
• ostensible
• comprehensible
• indispensable
• reprehensible
• supersensible
• incomprehensible

Kids Definition

indefensible

adjective

in·​de·​fen·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl 

: impossible to defend

an indefensible position