as in unacceptable
too bad to be excused or justified
the city's lack of preparedness for a major natural disaster was utterly indefensible
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Recent Examples of indefensible
In that sense, what Spotify is saying is indefensible.
—
Natalia Cano, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2026
The killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week sure has prompted a lot of indefensible responses.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
The shift away from recommending that all children six months or older receive an annual flu shot is particularly indefensible on the heels of last year’s flu season, which was the deadliest for kids in two decades, and amid a severe flu season this year that is straining hospitals nationwide.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
This was an act of naked and indefensible aggression.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Natalia Cano, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2026
The killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week sure has prompted a lot of indefensible responses.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
The shift away from recommending that all children six months or older receive an annual flu shot is particularly indefensible on the heels of last year’s flu season, which was the deadliest for kids in two decades, and amid a severe flu season this year that is straining hospitals nationwide.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
This was an act of naked and indefensible aggression.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indefensible
Adjective
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As an occasional problem, this would merit a Disapproving Frown — which, for the record, is one step up from a Cold Stare, one step down from a Glare, and at least one step down from yelling, which is unacceptable.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
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That the tax sale system is unacceptable.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, said the war was morally unjustifiable.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, described the war as morally unjustifiable, while Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich criticized the White House for sharing social media posts about the war that included video game-style imagery.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For the fifth consecutive year, Vulture has gathered two anonymous Rock Hall voters to share the good, the bad, and the inexcusable for the 2026 nominees.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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But there were inexcusable losses along the way, losses that didn’t hinge on one player’s absence — and might’ve singlehandedly changed the conversation over USC’s season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Four large porcini ravioli for $40 is pretty outrageous — that’s seriously $10 per.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
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Meester is pure unhinged mean girl personified as the Kaylinn of Gloria’s imagination, contextualizing every Insta post in the most outrageous extremities that only hurts her own sense of self.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Conservatives and Republicans in Congress continue to claim that the cost of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits is an insupportable burden on America, so benefits need to be cut, though President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to preserve entitlements like Social Security and Medicare.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Jan. 2025
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There are people of goodwill who think the way out of this insupportable situation lies in the fight for equal democratic rights in a single state for everyone living in the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.—
Michelle Goldberg,
The Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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Locally, Israel has taken advantage of the strategically unforgivable decision by Hezbollah to join the fighting on behalf of its Iranian patrons.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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In 2024, Schertz made the unforgivable mistake of losing at exactly the wrong time.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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More to the point: Doing nothing would be unpardonable.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
27 Nov. 2025
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If Sam is wrong, his journalistic sin is unpardonable.—
Neal B. Freeman,
National Review,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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Obviously, Missé is devastated that her brother was killed in such a vicious and public manner.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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The play unfolds as a series of battles, where the unaccomplished George and the bitterly disappointed Martha exchange vicious and demeaning insults, using Nick and Honey as the unsuspecting pawns in their war for supremacy.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indefensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefensible. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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