TENABLE Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

tenable

adjective

ˈte-nə-bəl

Definition of tenable

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 tenable But having said that, there is also a tenable argument against the team handing him a handsome pay raise. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026 Nicks has said that isn’t tenable without Christine McVie, but the band toured heavily without her between 2003 and 2014. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2026 How tenable will an all-righty bench be over the medium to long term? — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 But the more tenable tea on the name involves eighteenth-century trading ships of the British Empire. — Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tenable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable

Adjective

For months the university has been briefing journalists that its appointment system is rigorous and defendable, and that the campaign was targeted against a Black academic because of his race.

— Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Even if maritime regulators demanded shippers purchase more defendable vessels, the crews aboard are unready for the challenge.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of defendable

Adjective

The violence against law enforcement and serious damage to the city are not justifiable.

— Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
But if the ironic remove of his comic voice was part of what allowed Macdonald to speak so many uncomfortable truths, Apatow creating a remove of his own is justifiable.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of justifiable

Adjective

The idea is to give aircraft another long-range weapon for attacking high-value or time-sensitive targets while keeping those aircraft farther from heavily defended areas.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026
The city is part of Ukraine’s Fortress Belt, a series of heavily defended cities that Russia must overcome to advance farther into the region.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of defended

Adjective

As part of the financial analysis, running defensible models against liquidity, taxes, business cash flow and unanticipated downside conditions should take place before decisions are made.

— Catherine Shanahan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Convenience is the clearest and most defensible benefit, since pouches require no brewing or drink to carry and can be used almost anywhere.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of defensible

Adjective

After New Deal policies of the 1930s and 40s secured workers’ legal rights, union membership soared.

— Liz Shuler, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The crash site remained secured Wednesday as investigators worked to piece together the circumstances surrounding the deadly flight.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of secured

Adjective

Eco effort Because Kanai is a protected area, eco efforts are top of mind.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The result is a more efficient propulsion system that delivers greater range and energy, enabling engagement of highly maneuverable aerial threats at safer distances from protected forces.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of protected

Adjective

This is becoming increasingly critical as water scarcity puts growing pressure on communities and infrastructure, including in traditionally water-secure regions.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Conversely, those who are secure in their relationships have the lowest level of problematic social media use.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of secure

Browse Nearby Words

ten

tenable

tenacious

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Style

“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tenable

adjective

Example Sentences

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