untenable

adjective

Definition of untenablenext
as in misleading
formal not capable of being defended against attack or criticism; not tenable an untenable argument The theory is untenable.

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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 president's mixed message on Iran has left Republican candidates in a difficult, if not untenable, position, said Christopher Borick, director of the Lehigh University Opinion Observatory. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 The president’s mixed message on Iran has left Republican candidates in a difficult, if not untenable, position, said Christopher Borick, director of the Lehigh University Opinion Observatory. — Thomas Beaumont, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026 Its remaining civil rights workers have described untenable case loads and pressure to dismiss complaints. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026 The stairs had become untenable for Corcoran’s husband, but the prospect of another renovation was daunting. — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
  1. misleading
  2. weak
  3. irrational
  4. unreasonable
Adjective
  • Experts pointed to a number of possibilities for voters’ decisions, including what some characterized as successful but potentially misleading messaging by the opposition and confusion over the complex measure.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Should companies face tougher penalties for advertising misleading health benefits, especially when someone's financial security could be at stake?
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of misleading
Adjective
  • Trump was implying Ukraine was in a weak negotiating position and did not have the military resources to fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And some players are turning on the season as seen by them letting the Jaguars tear through weak tackle attempts to the tune of 183 rushing yards and three passing TDs by Trevor Lawrence.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • The more adult take is that these votes are not so much an irrational tantrum as a warning that a significant portion of Illinois feels increasingly alienated from its own government.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Because the entire system is rewarded by doing more, investments in prevention are financially irrational.
    — Paul Markovich, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of irrational
Adjective
  • With 20th Television increasingly focused on supplying Disney platforms, integrating the two areas would not be unreasonable.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Frimpong concluded that plaintiffs were likely to prove the practice violated the 4th Amendment’s protection against unreasonable seizures and the 5th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of unreasonable

Browse Nearby Words

untechnical
untenable
untended
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Cite this Entry

“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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