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
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
The Treasury says this is no longer tenable and calls for a national strategy that unifies public and private sector innovation.
—Ron Shevlin, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
This one may be less tenable than the Spotify thing.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenable
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
The Treasury says this is no longer tenable and calls for a national strategy that unifies public and private sector innovation.
—Ron Shevlin, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
This one may be less tenable than the Spotify thing.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
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Stand your ground laws and their complicated history Most stand your ground laws center around justifiable uses of force, according to Cynthia Godsoe, a professor of criminal law at Brooklyn Law School.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
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Homicides involving white shooters and Black victims are more likely to be ruled justifiable than those involving Black shooters and white victims.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Ringo recorded a defended pass and recovered the fumble Campbell forced.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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In the first three games of the year, DeJean recorded 22 tackles and a defended pass.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Maranghides told me that the idea of defensible space has at times become part of the problem.—
Ingfei Chen,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
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Some financial advisors have gone beyond even that level, saying up to 40% in cryptocurrency is defensible as an investing approach.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Biden also advocated for research into a cure for cancer and secured millions of dollars in federal funding for research into women’s health.—
Darlene Superville,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
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The win capped a weekend sweep for the reigning champion, as Verstappen secured pole position in both the sprint race and the grand prix, before winning both events while heading every lap across both days.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Oregon lawmakers added gender identity as a protected class under state anti-discrimination law in 2021.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
15 Oct. 2025
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Deutsch explained that architects have found lowering a ceiling makes a person feel more protected and comfortable.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Inside, there’s a mesh divider pocket to keep things tidy and the zippered closure keeps everything secure.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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The brand also sells colorful heel straps that provide a more secure fit.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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