adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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
Explanation
Something that's defensible is excusable — you can defend it or justify it. Mistaking your friend for her twin sister, as awkward as it may be, is a defensible blunder. In politics, there are often issues to which some people object strongly, while others argue that they're completely defensible positions. You may believe it's defensible to wage war in some circumstances, while your pacifist friend thinks it's never okay to kill for any reason. Defensible comes from an Old French root, defendre, "defend or resist," from the Latin root defendere, "guard or protect."
Vocabulary lists containing defensible
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I think everyone was hoping that this case would help Bruen become more coherent or defensible.
From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2026
On Monday, Barclays analyst Raimo Lenschow initiated coverage of IBM, saying that the company’s software stack is highly defensible against artificial-intelligence fears.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026
But the old script — be polite, get ignored, lose anyway — is no longer defensible.
From Salon ● May 30, 2026
Using informants to warn about threats of violence may be defensible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026
It was necessary to pare down faith to a set of core beliefs in order to make it defensible.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
