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 Some 43% of guests are age 55 or older, while only 23% are under 34, an untenable situation for Cracker Barrel longer term. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 July 2026 At the same time, an already untenable diplomatic effort to end the war has faltered once again as mistrust deepens between the longtime adversaries. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 As the Emirates and Saudi Arabia fall back from the field of battle, this theory applies less and less, and Iran’s rationale becomes more and more untenable. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 But public opinion has shifted in ways that make this strategy increasingly untenable. — Laurel Elder, The Conversation, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
  1. misleading
  2. weak
  3. irrational
  4. unreasonable
Adjective
  • That’s misleading, the FTC said, since customers who know how prices are set could take defensive measures, such as using a private browsing session or a virtual private network to mask their browsing history.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
  • There are plenty of well-meaning people and experts posting content everyday, but both professors noted that even that material may be misleading, inconclusive or overly generalized.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of misleading
Adjective
  • The Commerce Department released a report Friday showing weak retail sales in July.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Following his coach and uncle Toni’s advice, Nadal finally beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2008, breaking Federer’s Open-Era-record five-year winning streak on grass, by playing high balls to Federer’s back hand, his weak point.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • But the question remained unsolved for polygons with irrational angles.
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, the argument goes, today's spending is irrational because the hardware would need to be replaced too frequently to generate an attractive return on investment, known as ROI.
    — , CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of irrational
Adjective
  • The Saturday order said that expecting LeVota’s attorneys to adequately prepare for trial before April would be unreasonable and that denying the request could interfere with his right to effective legal representation.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In her lawsuit, Phyllis Zorn said the raid violated protections for a free press, safeguards against unreasonable searches by law enforcement and a federal law that limits searches and seizures of journalists' materials.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of unreasonable

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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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of untenable for Spanish Speakers

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