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
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
He’s caught between his wife and his daughter, and that’s certainly not a tenable place to be.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenable
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
He’s caught between his wife and his daughter, and that’s certainly not a tenable place to be.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
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The number of killings investigated last year fell to 67, with 57 of those categorized as murders — excluding cases such as justifiable homicides — a total not seen since 1967, according to data compiled by this news organization.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The joke isn’t on the protagonists for feeling justifiable feelings.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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Nearly every other recent president has taken international military action for defensible reasons while incurring criticism for not following a constitutional or statutory requirement to get a sign-off from Congress.—
John Brummett,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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His newer designs have eliminated attics and crawlspaces and implemented the placement of defensible landscaping.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Following the success of that effort, Sunrise Rotary members again raised money and secured permits to light the tree in 2025.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Lazarow said there’s not much brands can do to get money owed now, but suggested that vendors could send a letter with the full amount they’re owed in an effort to get their claims addressed in a bankruptcy as soon as possible after secured creditors get paid.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Local companies offer half- and full-day excursions to the island and its protected ecosystem.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And they’re constructed in a slip-on, loafer style that wraps fully around your feet for a secure all-day fit.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
16 Jan. 2026
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In addition, the home features two parking spots, allowing for easy and secure parking for two cars.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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