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
Relevance
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
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
The premise that China would remain a status-quo power anchored in the old trading order is no longer tenable.
—
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
After the war, many Iranians hoped things would change and that the government would leverage the nationalistic rally around the flag to introduce a more tenable social contract with the populace.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
After the war, many Iranians hoped things would change and that the government would leverage the nationalistic rally around the flag to introduce a more tenable social contract with the populace.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
-
Somehow, Jacob Elordi was able to pull a genuinely affecting performance out of this mess, which makes his nomination the only justifiable one of this movie’s bloated haul.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Many on hand Sunday said the American intervention in the Middle East was justifiable action in response to, among other things, the killings of protesters in Iran earlier this year.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Such endurance is central to the aircraft’s role in long-range deterrence operations and potential missions in heavily defended regions.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
Barton said the Conservancy already does brush clearing and removing, and is working with leaseholders to create defensible space around camps and coves.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Losses in Cleveland and San Antonio are defensible.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Creditors confronting both foreign trustees and secured interests must evaluate the cost of untangling each layer.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Most agencies require that unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) is your primary problem, as debt management programs generally don't help much with secured debts like mortgages or auto loans.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Sweeney did concede that the uncertainty around two of the four first-round picks (the Toronto pick this year is top-5 protected and the Florida pick next year is top-10 protected) added to the reticence to move any of them.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The 1993 case did not consider political expression as a protected class.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
These fun pink clogs channel spring flowers while their contoured footbed cradles your arches, and the adjustable heel strap keeps them secure.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Depositories operate highly secure vaults designed specifically for storing valuable metals.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
