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defensible

[ dih-fen-suh-buhl ]
/ dɪˈfɛn sə bəl /
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See synonyms for defensible on Thesaurus.com

adjective

capable of being defended against assault or injury: The troops were bivouacked in a defensible position.
that can be defended in argument; justifiable.

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Origin of defensible

1250–1300; Middle English <Late Latin defēnsibilis, equivalent to Latin defēns(us) (see defense) + -ibilis-ible; replacing Middle English defensable<Old French <Late Latin defēnsābilis, equivalent to defēnsā(re) (frequentative of dēfendere to defend) + -bilis-ble

OTHER WORDS FROM defensible

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to defensible

plausible, logical, valid, permissible, tenable, excusable, fit, pardonable, proper, condonable, defendable, vindicable, warrantable

Example sentences from the Web for defensible

  • In ordinary villages the flat-roofed shielings are huddled together without plan or defensibility.

    The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram

  • Mr. Tallmadge's desire not to be interrupted in the act might have enlightened him as to its defensibility; but he was no casuist.

    The Open Question|Elizabeth Robins

  • The defensibility of the site as well as the fertility of the soil pointed it out as the best place for the seat of government.

    The South American Republics, Part II (of 2)|Thomas C. Dawson

  • But its defensibility was practically all the crag fort had to offer by way of attraction.

    Rung Ho!|Talbot Mundy

British Dictionary definitions for defensible

defensible
/ (dɪˈfɛnsɪbəl) /

adjective

capable of being defended, as in war, an argument, etc

Derived forms of defensible

defensibility or defensibleness, noundefensibly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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