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 The dubiousness of the mayor’s position goes beyond his indefensible gamble with public health. — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 Using troops to run, monitor, or tally elections would be legally indefensible absent an actual insurrection preventing people from voting. — James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026 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 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
Adjective
  • But singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • William James Middle received its fifth unacceptable rating in a row in the 2025-26 school year.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • Matt taking down the mobsters who wronged him may qualify as an understandable form of street justice, but his next move is unjustifiable.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The violence against law enforcement and the serious damage to the city are unjustifiable.
    — Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of unjustifiable
Adjective
  • Their defensive performance on Sunday against the Packers was inexcusable, and there were few injuries to blame.
    — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Party leaders have to stop excusing the inexcusable and police our side of the aisle—or voters will continue to police it for us.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of inexcusable
Adjective
  • Gene Reetz, Denver The outrageous appointment of the despicable Stephen Miller as Donald Trump‘s new chief of staff is an example of the classic double down.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Stop making up all these outrageous plans to fund things that are way out of reach.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • Voters who are feeling flush may be willing to tolerate a degree of self-dealing from politicians that becomes insupportable when grocery bills are high.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Definition of insupportable
Adjective
  • In her newest novel, award-winning author Imbolo Mbue takes up the age-old question of how to forgive the unforgivable.
    — Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
  • As the only game with a total below 40, this will be aesthetically unforgivable.
    — J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 9 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

indefectible
indefensible
in defiance of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indefensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefensible. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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