untenable

American  

[uhn-ten-uh-buhl] / ʌnˈtɛn ə bəl /

adjective

1. (of an argument, thesis, strategy, etc.) incapable of being defended; indefensible.

   I do not regard atheism as an untenable stance toward the world.

2. (of a situation or condition) incapable of being sustained or maintained over time.

   A number of exporters have called for the measure to be withdrawn, maintaining it has imposed an untenable strain on their working capital.

   Synonyms:

   questionable, weak, unsound, groundless, baseless

3. not fit to be occupied, as an apartment, house, etc.

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untenable British  

/ ʌnˈtɛnəbəl /

adjective

1. (of theories, propositions, etc) incapable of being maintained, defended, or vindicated

2. unable to be maintained against attack

3. rare (of a house, etc) unfit for occupation

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Other Word Forms

• untenability
  noun
• untenableness
  noun
• untenably
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of untenable

First recorded in 1640–50; un- ¹ + tenable

Explanation

If something is untenable, you can't defend it or justify it. If your disagreement with your teacher puts you in an untenable position, you better just admit you made a mistake and get on with it. When untenable entered English in the 17th century it meant "unable to be held against attack." That sense still holds true: you can use the adjective untenable to describe any situation, position, or theory that simply can't be defended. Untenable is a great word to use when you want to criticize something, whether it's a flawed system or a referee's bad call.

Example Sentences

Untenable if the Scottish Rugby Union decision-makers do their job.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Untenable operating expenses closed the prison in 1963 — for example, the approximately 1 million gallons of fresh water that had to be delivered by boat each week.

From Washington Post • Jan. 20, 2022

He addressed these problems in a seminal essay published in 1950, “The Analytic and the Synthetic: An Untenable Dualism,” and at greater length in “Toward Reunion in Philosophy,” which he dedicated to Goodman and Quine.

From New York Times • Jun. 10, 2016

Untenable not in light of some abstract congressional “intent” or statutory “spirit” discerned from legislative history, but in light of the very context, operation, and structure of the statute that Congress enacted.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2015

And if only one made the 273-day journey from the orbit of Terra—that would be Plan III; Condition Untenable, Return.

From A Gift For Terra by Holden, Fox B.

Related Words

• illogical
• unsound