defensible

adjective

di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce defensible (audio)
Definition of defensiblenext
1
as in defendable
capable of being defended against physical attack the pioneers retreated to a defensible hillside to take a stand against the raiders

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifiable
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack there's simply no defensible reason for dropping out of school

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 defensible The public deserves to know which of his points were defensible and which were deceiving. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Included as part of the program are home audits and education for homeowners about increasing their defensible space. — Jeff Todd, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 The state of California recently issued new regulations for defensible space, commonly referred to as Zone Zero. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026 But is there a defensible logic to this turn-on-your-friends, win-over your-foes strategy? — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensible
  1. defendable
  2. justifiable
  3. defended
  4. protected
  5. secured
Adjective
  • For months the university has been briefing journalists that its appointment system is rigorous and defendable, and that the campaign was targeted against a Black academic because of his race.
    — Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Even if maritime regulators demanded shippers purchase more defendable vessels, the crews aboard are unready for the challenge.
    — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of defendable
Adjective
  • The most justifiable criticism against the DC detective series is that its mysteries play out wordily, without letting the audience in on how its space cops come to major conclusions.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Appalled by the failure to answer many questions, Democrats responded with what was often, though not always, justifiable outrage.
    — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of justifiable
Adjective
  • The idea is to give aircraft another long-range weapon for attacking high-value or time-sensitive targets while keeping those aircraft farther from heavily defended areas.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The city is part of Ukraine’s Fortress Belt, a series of heavily defended cities that Russia must overcome to advance farther into the region.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of defended
Adjective
  • The result is a more efficient propulsion system that delivers greater range and energy, enabling engagement of highly maneuverable aerial threats at safer distances from protected forces.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The main Wekiva River was designated by Congress in 2000 as a protected National Wild and Scenic River.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of protected
Adjective
  • Best Egg and OneMain Financial are among our top picks for secured loans.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • With the California Academy of Family Physicians, Watts advocated for and secured funding for a family medicine residency program that focused on filling healthcare gaps.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of secured

Browse Nearby Words

defenses
defensible
defensive
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Cite this Entry

“Defensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensible. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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