as in misleading
formal
not capable of being defended against attack or criticism; not tenable
an untenable argument The theory is untenable.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 untenable
The policy proved untenable and was lifted in December 2022, but China’s economy is still struggling to recover.
SOURCE:
World Bank
|
Jacob Turcotte/Staff
The Chinese are adjusting to this new normal.
—
Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2025
Kraus said a Biden-era provision to control drug costs could make the situation for generic drugmakers untenable under Trump’s tariff regime.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
At sea, Ukraine's naval drones have confined Russia's fleet to the eastern portion of the Black Sea and made its bases in Crimea untenable.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
The intensity of current Russian assaults and the ravaging of Ukrainian supply lines is quickly making Ukraine’s position in the province untenable.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2025
Kraus said a Biden-era provision to control drug costs could make the situation for generic drugmakers untenable under Trump’s tariff regime.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
At sea, Ukraine's naval drones have confined Russia's fleet to the eastern portion of the Black Sea and made its bases in Crimea untenable.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
The intensity of current Russian assaults and the ravaging of Ukrainian supply lines is quickly making Ukraine’s position in the province untenable.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
-
Weak Treasury Demand Moved Rates More recently, in the wake of the administration’s chaotic trade policy rollout, Treasury security auctions did not go as expected, with weak demand pushing rates up higher than everyone expected.—
Norbert Michel,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
That’s why he’s been able to generate so much weak contact over the years.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Judge orders transgender passports despite 'irrational' Trump policy.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
And then there’s the emotional, irrational lift of gilt and glory, the baroque architecture, the Renaissance art, the history stretching back to Jesus and Saint Peter.—
Howard Chua-Eoan,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Courts will not second-guess the safety measures employers adopt, even when those measures infringe on an employee’s privacy, unless the measures are unreasonable under the circumstances.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Companies need to assess their higher costs, and then negotiate with the state regulators who try to protect ratepayers from unreasonable hikes.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share