untenable

American  

[uhn-ten-uh-buhl] / ʌnˈtɛn ə bəl /

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   A number of exporters have called for the measure to be withdrawn, maintaining it has imposed an untenable strain on their working capital.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

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untenable British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• untenability
  noun
• untenableness
  noun
• untenably
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of untenable

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

Explanation

If something is untenable, you can't defend it or justify it. If your disagreement with your teacher puts you in an untenable position, you better just admit you made a mistake and get on with it. When untenable entered English in the 17th century it meant "unable to be held against attack." That sense still holds true: you can use the adjective untenable to describe any situation, position, or theory that simply can't be defended. Untenable is a great word to use when you want to criticize something, whether it's a flawed system or a referee's bad call.

Example Sentences

Iranian officials declined to proceed with scheduled talks in Switzerland, saying the escalation in Lebanon made continued negotiations untenable unless hostilities stopped.

From Salon • Jun. 19, 2026

Might he feel that his position is untenable?

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Huq argues that such a promise is not only legally untenable but a “terrible mistake” as a matter of ordinary civil law.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

One thing that sets him apart is that he’s willing to speak openly about his bias and the untenable position it puts him in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

For some non-Jews, such as Erwin Schrödinger and nuclear chemist Max Delbrück, the situation was morally untenable.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• illogical
• unsound