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
Kennedy’s approach to the ongoing outbreak, and to infectious disease in general, is indefensible.
—
Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025
For decades, transfer remained the third rail of Israeli politics - so extreme, so indefensible, that it could not be spoken of in polite company.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
The 15% rate may be harsh and unwise, but 70% can seem indefensible.
—George Calhoun, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
That a majority of this court now rewards the government for its behavior with discretionary equitable relief is indefensible.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025
For decades, transfer remained the third rail of Israeli politics - so extreme, so indefensible, that it could not be spoken of in polite company.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
The 15% rate may be harsh and unwise, but 70% can seem indefensible.
—George Calhoun, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
That a majority of this court now rewards the government for its behavior with discretionary equitable relief is indefensible.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indefensible
Adjective
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In April 2021, the European Commission proposed a draft of the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at introducing a system of AI classification based on risks to users (minimal, limited, high, unacceptable).—
Olena Orliuk,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Adams said that such outside interference on a group of experts who are supposed to be able to review science free from political influence sets an unacceptable standard.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Iran says talks now ‘unjustifiable’ The sixth round of U.S.-Iran indirect talks planned for Sunday over Iran ’s nuclear program will not take place, mediator Oman said.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
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And without consumers, infrastructure investment remains commercially unjustifiable.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Yes, Republicans have also been the target of inexcusable violence, but this isn’t a ‘both sides’ issue.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2025
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Just seven episodes into a sitcom with five main characters to flesh out, that’s not inexcusable.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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My hair fell out, my mouth filled with sores, and the overnight fevers were outrageous.—
Noor Hassan,
Rolling Stone,
21 June 2025
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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Crystal Skull is easily Spielberg’s laziest, sloppiest work — even the action sequences seem phoned-in — and it’s filled with unforgivable howlers: Shia LaBeouf’s limp attempt at being a bad boy, Cate Blanchett’s hammy villain, the goddamn fridge scene.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
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The sisters also mention their own summer 16, when something unforgivable happened.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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If Sam is wrong, his journalistic sin is unpardonable.—
Neal B. Freeman,
National Review,
13 May 2025
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Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This approach costs three times more than housing people and creates a vicious cycle — incarceration increases homelessness risk by destroying community connections and employment prospects.—
Mahdi E Diab,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Of course, no conversation about Yellowjackets season 3 would be complete without a deep dive into Shauna's vicious throw down with Swank's Melissa — during which Shauna rips a chunk of flesh off Melissa's arm with her teeth and forces her to eat it.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indefensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefensible. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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