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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Recent Examples of untenable
Ranting at my wife’s sisters would be a waste of time, but sitting here in silent anger is untenable as well.
—
Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
The Administration has repeatedly attempted to cut off research grants, which would be an untenable crises.
—CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Facing pressure from German industry players that say the law places undue and untenable pressure on their businesses, the law’s authors drafted an amendment—read for the first time last week—that unraveled external reporting obligations.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
The idea is to have Arraez raking throughout and worry about untenable defense when you’re forced to.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
The Administration has repeatedly attempted to cut off research grants, which would be an untenable crises.
—CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Facing pressure from German industry players that say the law places undue and untenable pressure on their businesses, the law’s authors drafted an amendment—read for the first time last week—that unraveled external reporting obligations.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
The idea is to have Arraez raking throughout and worry about untenable defense when you’re forced to.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
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Schaeffer says those late-season numbers were misleading.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
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Cincinnati’s record also may be somewhat misleading.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The past four years of conflict have exposed more than one faulty assumption, not least the previously widespread belief even among Kyiv’s allies that Ukraine would be too weak, too disorganized, to resist a full-scale invasion.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Continue reading … PARTY RECKONING — Cortez Masto admits Democrats have been 'weak on immigration,' chides Biden.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Those sorts of things are irrational to me.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
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Although atheism is often associated with hyperrationality, this form of it is unapologetically irrational.—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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During a bumpy, contentious negotiation, hospitals complained the union’s demands were unreasonable and exorbitant.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
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Imagine my surprise and delight when Billboard actually took a stand against YouTube and did not give in to their unreasonable demands!—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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