untenable

[uhn-ten-uh-buhl]

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   A number of exporters have called for the measure to be withdrawn, maintaining it has imposed an untenable strain on their working capital.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

untenable

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• untenability noun
• untenableness noun
• untenably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of untenable¹

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

Example Sentences

Criticism poured in from all sides as soon as he presented his cabinet on Sunday afternoon and by Monday morning he had decided his position was untenable.

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“This case is familiar to the Court and involves the increasingly familiar and untenable phenomenon of lower courts disregarding this Court’s orders on the emergency docket,” he said.

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The company argues that union demands are untenable, with the company already offering competitive pay and benefits.

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Given the parliamentary business minister has a fairly key role in engaging with opposition parties, Hepburn's position was simply untenable.

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It left Selles' position untenable and he was removed from his position on Sunday morning, with a club statement saying the decision had been made following a "disappointing start" to the campaign.

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Related Words

• illogical 
• unsound