1
as in defendable
capable of being defended against physical attack
the pioneers retreated to a defensible hillside to take a stand against the raiders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifiable
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack
there's simply no defensible reason for dropping out of school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defensible
In essence, the APA requires an executive agency to have defensible reasons for its actions.
—
Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2025
With fire danger expected to remain high due to ongoing dry conditions, PNEC encourages residents to prepare now by creating defensible space, planning evacuation routes and staying informed.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025
The Wildfire Advisory Group advised the town to focus on five safety initiatives in the event of a wildfire: emergency communications; evacuation plans and routes; fuel reduction and vegetation management; defensible space and home hardening; and education and outreach.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
The insurance industry is working to push state and local efforts to build resiliency and improve mitigation efforts — meaning better building codes, public works projects that protect homes and properties, and tough standards on defensible spaces around buildings, for instance.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensible
Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2025
With fire danger expected to remain high due to ongoing dry conditions, PNEC encourages residents to prepare now by creating defensible space, planning evacuation routes and staying informed.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025
The Wildfire Advisory Group advised the town to focus on five safety initiatives in the event of a wildfire: emergency communications; evacuation plans and routes; fuel reduction and vegetation management; defensible space and home hardening; and education and outreach.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
The insurance industry is working to push state and local efforts to build resiliency and improve mitigation efforts — meaning better building codes, public works projects that protect homes and properties, and tough standards on defensible spaces around buildings, for instance.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensible
justifiable
Adjective
-
As ever, prospective investors must carefully consider whether Palantir’s premium valuation is a justifiable bet on the future of AI — or a potential case of pricing perfection in an imperfect world.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Some homicides on the list may be judged by authorities as justifiable.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensible. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share