tenable
Americanadjective
-
capable of being held, maintained, or defended, as against attack or dispute.
a tenable theory.
- Synonyms:
- warrantable, maintainable, viable, workable
-
capable of being occupied, possessed, held, or enjoyed, as under certain conditions.
a research grant tenable for two years.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- nontenability noun
- nontenable adjective
- nontenableness noun
- nontenably adverb
- tenability noun
- tenableness noun
- tenably adverb
Etymology
Origin of tenable
1570–80; < French: that can be held, equivalent to ten ( ir ) to hold (≪ Latin tenēre ) + -able -able
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.
He had been living with my sister, but that is no longer tenable given his condition, and my apartment is far too small.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026
Ubisoft added that its fiscal 2027 guidance was no longer tenable and would update it in May.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026
She said: "I recognise that, as a direct consequence of this failure, it is no longer tenable for me to continue to serve in my current role."
From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025
Solis said they don’t believe that appointing attorneys without compensation would be “legal, ethical or even tenable or desirable.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025
We were finding no common ground, and I was becoming convinced that the marriage was no longer tenable.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
