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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of indefensible
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
In contrast, sidelining patients who face disparities is clinically reckless and ethically indefensible.
—Rachel Bergmans, Time, 18 Nov. 2025
Their comments were indefensible, offensive, hurtful.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
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
In contrast, sidelining patients who face disparities is clinically reckless and ethically indefensible.
—Rachel Bergmans, Time, 18 Nov. 2025
Their comments were indefensible, offensive, hurtful.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indefensible
Adjective
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Letting this get past the March 6 NHL trade deadline without receiving anything in return for a pending free agent who everyone knows New York won’t re-sign would be an unacceptable outcome.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The abuse these children suffered in both their biological and adoptive homes was tragic and unacceptable.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Time away from her family felt increasingly unjustifiable.—
Esha Chhabra,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
There are some problematic cases already in the Hall, and the inconsistency grows increasingly unjustifiable.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What Trump did is inexcusable and should be called out as such.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The position Casey Wasserman has put his agents in is inexcusable.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One line in that exchange, about his life being outrageous and me not being able to tell anyone, is being interpreted as awareness of wrongdoing.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
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Can’t have outrageous outcomes every year.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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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There is often tension between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, but to make this kind of public accusation – that his mother behaved in a narcissistic, controlling and disturbingly sexualised way – is unforgivable.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
30 Jan. 2026
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Except, apparently, among the Hoosiers who play football as if not playing football hard would be an unforgivable sin.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Though initial jobless claims hit their highest level in nearly two months last week, the move was largely attributed to a vicious and widespread winter storm that affected large parts of the nation.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
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As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indefensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefensible. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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