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   A number of exporters have called for the measure to be withdrawn, maintaining it has imposed an untenable strain on their working capital.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

Derived Forms

• unˈtenably, adverb
• unˌtenaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• un·ten·a·bil·i·ty [uhn-ten-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], un·ten·a·ble·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of untenable¹

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

Example Sentences

Climate change, which exacerbates these risks, seems to have finally tipped the balance of what was an increasingly untenable situation, says Anthony LeRoy Westerling, who is also at UC Merced.

From MIT Technology Review

This summer has seen more fires, more heat, more storms — all of it making life increasingly untenable in larger areas of the nation.

From ProPublica

Chrome made up most of DigiTrust’s cookie aggregation, making its future untenable.

From Digiday

Bloom even announced the result in a lecture, only to realize afterward that some of their shortcuts were untenable.

From Quanta Magazine

“I appreciate the issue getting attention because it’s just an untenable situation,” he said.

From Voice of San Diego

He added that if the agreement eventually proves untenable, “we could walk any time.”

From The Daily Beast

Does this hunk of glass make up for his untenable relationships?

From The Daily Beast

The enemy effected and exploited a breach on the left flank, rendering the friendly positions untenable.

From The Daily Beast

But two failed wars and a massive national debt have made their ultra-expensive, ultra-bloody foreign policy vision untenable.

From The Daily Beast

Rebel-held territory in northern Syria has grown untenable for professional journalists and aid workers as well.

From The Daily Beast

The popping of dry, scrubby timber warned us that our position would soon be untenable.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, in our judgment, both the positions successively taken up in the Majority Report are untenable.

From Project Gutenberg

But in the light of scientific discoveries and demonstrations, such a belief is unfounded and utterly untenable to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence, although seriously inconvenienced, the French did not find their position untenable.

From Project Gutenberg

From the square itself Beresford was forced by artillery fire to retreat, and the situation was soon seen to be untenable.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• illogical
• unsound