1
as in defendable
capable of being defended against physical attack
the soldiers' encampment on the open plain was not tenable, so they retreated to higher ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifiable
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack
the tenable theory that a giant meteor strike set off a chain of events resulting in the demise of the dinosaurs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tenable
Even so, their choice may not be tenable for much longer.
—
Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
There is no tenable middle ground here.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Republicans face the same kind of pressure to deal with disaster relief and other agenda items, meaning the situation is not tenable long term for either party.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 5 Aug. 2025
As images of starving children in Gaza continue to circulate and the international outcry grows louder, a number of American rabbis used their pulpits to speak up about the humanitarian crisis, some with sorrow, others with moral urgency, and many with a sense that silence was no longer tenable.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
There is no tenable middle ground here.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Republicans face the same kind of pressure to deal with disaster relief and other agenda items, meaning the situation is not tenable long term for either party.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 5 Aug. 2025
As images of starving children in Gaza continue to circulate and the international outcry grows louder, a number of American rabbis used their pulpits to speak up about the humanitarian crisis, some with sorrow, others with moral urgency, and many with a sense that silence was no longer tenable.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
-
Others said that the shooting is seemingly an extreme case and that charges might have been justifiable.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
-
For much of the 20th century, Sweden enjoyed a justifiable reputation as one of Europe’s most egalitarian countries.—
Miranda Sheild Johansson,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The preservation was so exceptional that the researchers could identify countershading patterns, indicating this armored dinosaur relied on camouflage despite its heavily defended appearance.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Nov. 2025
-
Private firefighting outfits defended companies, utilities, and ultrarich enclaves while other parts of the city burned.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, pointed to the concept of defensible borders that emerged after the 1967 Six-Day War.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
This hands-on perspective helps ensure outputs are clinically relevant, immediately actionable, and scientifically defensible.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Department of Justice, under pressure from prominent MAGA media influencers to arrest Lemon, then took the case to a grand jury and secured indictments that way.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Big Beautiful Bill, passed in July, secured funding for both the Lunar Gateway and further Orion and SLS flights beyond Artemis 3.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
All the villas are secluded, surrounded by trees, well back from the main path and removed from the beach, so the lights don’t disorient the protected sea turtles.—
Kim Foley MacKinnon,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Representatives from the developer said on Monday that the city's ordinance did not list the blacksmith shop as a protected landmark and that demolition is in the best interest of the community.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump's top diplomat said America was safer and more secure as a result and that the administration would work with interim authorities to stabilize the South American country.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Additionally, the drawcord waistband supplies a comfortable and secure fit.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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