indefensible

1 of 2

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

indefensibility

2 of 2

noun

in·​de·​fen·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ¦ində̇ˌfen(t)sə¦bilətē 

-(ˌ)dēˌ-, 

-ətē, 

-i

: the quality or state of being indefensible

Synonyms of indefensible

Adjective

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

Examples of indefensible in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Pressing South Africa to dismantle post-apartheid transformation measures as the price of treatment is indefensible, undermining sovereignty and making cooperation on health harder. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 22 June 2026

But the fastest swimming speed claims are almost certainly indefensible exaggerations. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

That was Ned Tanen, who did something indefensible and punitive to Lucas. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 22 June 2026

Both state and church are also known for failing to live up to those ideals, for permitting indefensible abuses, for ugly histories. — Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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