defensible

adjective

de·​fen·​si·​ble di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl 

: capable of being defended

defensible theories

a defensible hill

defensibility

di-ˌfen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌdē-

noun

defensibly

di-ˈfen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of defensible

• defendable
• defended
• protected
• secured

Examples of defensible in a Sentence

Both candidates hold defensible positions on the issue.

Under those circumstances, her actions were completely defensible.

Slavery is not morally defensible.

The city has a defensible location.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gen Z is already acting on dissatisfaction, which means the window to build defensible AI practices is closing while adoption curves are still climbing. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

They will be disciplined about what they got locked into, choosing a vendor, model or architecture defensible three years out, not the one that looked strongest when purchased. — Girish Joshi, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Sophisticated technology cannot substitute for experienced people, functioning networks, practiced relationships, and institutions capable of making defensible decisions under uncertainty. — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 26 Sep. 2026

Traceable references make each claim defensible when sharing work with clients or supervisors. — New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English defensable, defensible "ready to fight, easily defended," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin dēfensābilis "able to be defended," from Latin dēfensāre "to act in defense" (frequentative of dēfendere "to defend") + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for defensible

• sensible
• compensable
• condensable
• dispensable
• extensible
• insensible
• ostensible
• comprehensible
• indefensible
• indispensable
• reprehensible
• supersensible