indefensible

adjective

ˌin-di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce indefensible (audio)
Definition of indefensiblenext
as in unacceptable
too bad to be excused or justified the city's lack of preparedness for a major natural disaster was utterly indefensible

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 indefensible History is filled with systems that were durable, highly organized, and morally indefensible. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Because the indefensible part is that, in refusing to pay the exorbitant but fully understood price to land LeBron, the Warriors didn’t just miss out on the King. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 For those not familiar with the term, anti-natalism is a philosophical stance that views life as unacceptably full of suffering and procreation as a morally indefensible thing. — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 6 July 2026 That was Ned Tanen, who did something indefensible and punitive to Lucas. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indefensible
  1. unacceptable
  2. unjustifiable
  3. inexcusable
  4. outrageous
  5. insupportable
  6. unforgivable
  7. unpardonable
  8. vicious
Adjective
  • Still, only 28% of readers said that AI use is unacceptable in all of the circumstances presented by the survey.
    — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Intervene Intervene means several signals—or one sufficiently consequential event—indicate probable deterioration or unacceptable outcomes.
    — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • This unjustifiable benefit, which could be worth more than a hundred million dollars to the Trumps, would go directly into the pockets of the President and his family.
    — Austin Elias-de Jesus, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
  • Parents may be masking their children because the CDC continuously published shoddy research meant to support their unjustifiable policy positions.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Definition of unjustifiable
Adjective
  • The Bills held their return of the Red and Blue practice at Highmark on Saturday, and posts on social media started flooding in, racking up millions of views and engagements, showing the frankly inexcusable views from some seats at the new stadium.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The use of default passwords for programmable equipment is inexcusable.
    — Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of inexcusable
Adjective
  • Murphy’s thrives on emotional extremes and outrageous plot twists.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026
  • And there’s plenty more moving yet outrageous craziness to come.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • 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
  • There is no consensus on this in today’s housing discourse, and if anything, the discussion is leaning toward trying to make housing an entitlement, something completely insupportable and undesirable.
    — Roger Valdez, Forbes, 5 May 2023
Definition of insupportable
Adjective
  • The texture is great, but the lack of flavor and aroma is unforgivable.
    — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Watson’s family implored Ruff to impose the maximum sentence, saying Sayers’ cruelty, lawlessness and hypocrisy were unforgivable.
    — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 25 July 2026
Definition of unforgivable
Adjective
  • Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Alone in George’s office, Roger commits the unpardonable offense of reading his notebook.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of unpardonable
Adjective
  • And on the other side of the ball, this defense has a chance to be downright vicious.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Heidegger, the philosopher of authenticity and independent thought, had become one of them, surrendering to vicious political cant.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of vicious

Browse Nearby Words

indefectible
indefensible
in defiance of
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Cite this Entry

“Indefensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefensible. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on indefensible

Nglish: Translation of indefensible for Spanish Speakers

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