defensible

[ dih-fen-suh-buhl ]

/ dɪˈfɛn sə bəl /

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.

Words nearby defensible

defenestrate, defenestration, defense, defense mechanism, defenseman, defensible, defensive, defensive back, defensive circle, defensive driving, defensive medicine

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

SYNONYMS FOR defensible

2 suitable, fit, tenable, allowable, warrantable.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR defensible ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM defensible

de·fen·si·bil·i·ty, de·fen·si·ble·ness, nounde·fen·si·bly, adverbnon·de·fen·si·bil·i·ty, nounnon·de·fen·si·ble, adjective

non·de·fen·si·ble·ness, nounnon·de·fen·si·bly, adverbun·de·fen·si·ble, adjectiveun·de·fen·si·ble·ness, nounun·de·fen·si·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for defensible

He also believed, as a matter of political prudence, that the commercials had to be defensible on matters of fact.
David Garth, the Consultant Who Talked Up to Voters|Jeff Greenfield|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The change could be defensible, but Justice Stevens does not offer any detailed defense of this change.
Change the Constitution in Six Easy Steps? It Won’t Be That Simple, Justice Stevens|Richard L. Hasen|April 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This decision was, in many ways, brave (not just in the Sir Humphrey sense) and defensible, but it came at a price.
Politics Across the Pond|Justin Green|November 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
You may quibble with any of these choices, but as tax subsidies go, they are the most defensible.
Romney's Makers and Takers|Megan McArdle|September 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The reason I carry around the (defensible, I tell myself) spare tire that I do is cheese.
The Freedom to Be Fat? The Politics of Movie Popcorn, Obama, and the FDA|Michael Tomasky|April 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Consequently I prepared myself to render as defensible as possible the post committed to my charge.
The Life of a Regimental Officer|A. F. Mockler-Ferryman
Any defensible place, whether made so by nature or by art, is a fastness or stronghold.
English Synonyms and Antonyms|James Champlin Fernald
His intentions were, to chastise the tribesmen by burning and blowing up all defensible villages within reach of the troops.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force|Sir Winston S. Churchill
Harry's foot opposed them at every defensible point, while the cavalry hung upon their skirts.
Friends, though divided|G. A. Henty
It has since been resumed under humaner conditions, which make it as defensible as slavery can ever be.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, January 1899|Various

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

defensible

adjective

Words related to defensible

Words nearby defensible

Origin of defensible

SYNONYMS FOR defensible

OTHER WORDS FROM defensible

Examples from the Web for defensible

British Dictionary definitions for defensible

adjective

Derived forms of defensible