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
Relevance
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
Here’s where congressional failure becomes indefensible.
—
Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
That an insurer can award eight-figure paydays and stockpile vast reserves while households absorb devastating premium hikes is indefensible.
—Barbara Hoare, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Two of the most talked about these days are the indefensible actions of ICE and the attempt of this government to take over the arts in this country.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
The collective rejection of ICE’s brutal and indefensible assault on Minneapolis is part of a larger wave of solidarity against the federal government.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
That an insurer can award eight-figure paydays and stockpile vast reserves while households absorb devastating premium hikes is indefensible.
—Barbara Hoare, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Two of the most talked about these days are the indefensible actions of ICE and the attempt of this government to take over the arts in this country.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
The collective rejection of ICE’s brutal and indefensible assault on Minneapolis is part of a larger wave of solidarity against the federal government.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indefensible
Adjective
-
What types of answers are unacceptable?—
Prasad Maderamitla,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
If a tool creates unacceptable risk, districts should not use it.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Today many Coloradans are saddened and distressed by this unjustifiable act but not at all surprised.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
-
Salim has to be the pragmatic one who pretends everything around them isn’t morally unjustifiable just to get through the day without losing his mind.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But Nathan MacKinnon not talking after Tuesday’s loss was unprofessional and inexcusable for one of the NHL’s best players.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
The airline’s behavior here is inexcusable.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Publishing a novel is an act of outrageous ego.—
Ian Mackenzie,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
Picking up the story five years after this group of hedonistic teens graduated high school, season three feels tailor-made for the attention economy of today, where the algorithm encourages us to engage with polarizing and outrageous content.—
Louis Staples,
Glamour,
27 May 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
-
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
-
And while politics has and always will be intertwined with sports, simply selecting Italy to compete would be a totally unforgivable abuse of power that would undermine the many years teams have spent trying to qualify for the event.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
-
As in Gaza, the recent bombing of Lebanon has been indiscriminate, with unforgivable civilian casualties.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
More to the point: Doing nothing would be unpardonable.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
27 Nov. 2025
-
If Sam is wrong, his journalistic sin is unpardonable.—
Neal B. Freeman,
National Review,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Her vicious block on Clark with seven minutes left nearly lifted the roof off the place.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Other cast members spoke on rising to new challenges in Season 2, including Paulina Chavez, whose character Ariana Medina survived a vicious assault in the penultimate episode.—
Kai Naima Williams,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indefensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefensible. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
