Synonyms of tenable

tenable

adjective

ˈte-nə-bəl 

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

• defendable
• defended
• defensible
• secured
• protected
• secure
• guarded
• unassailable
• shielded
• invulnerable
• inviolable
• invincible
• safeguarded
• impregnable
• bulletproof
• untouchable
• unbeatable
• unconquerable
• indomitable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• untenable
• indefensible
• vulnerable
• liable
• susceptible
• open
• unprotected
• unsecured
• insecure
• exposed
• weak
• undefended
• helpless
• unguarded
• powerless
• assailable
• defenseless
• vincible
• imperiled

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

• justifiable
• supportable
• acceptable
• defendable
• legitimate
• viable
• rational
• defensible
• maintainable
• sustainable
• reasonable
• sensible
• allowable
• admissible
• unobjectionable
• provable
• well-grounded
• verifiable
• explicable
• explainable
• warrantable
• exceptionable
• confirmable
• passable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• untenable
• absurd
• ridiculous
• irrational
• unjustifiable
• unreasonable
• illogical
• unsound
• extreme
• indefensible
• unsustainable
• unacceptable
• objectionable
• outrageous
• insupportable
• unfounded
• inexplicable
• groundless
• unexplainable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tenable

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

David Harris, a University of Pittsburgh law professor specializing in criminal law, said the charges against the protesters are more tenable, given the federal laws against disrupting the free exercise of worship. — Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026

These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. — Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 17 Jan. 2026