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   A number of exporters have called for the measure to be withdrawn, maintaining it has imposed an untenable strain on their working capital.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

Example Sentences

“That seems like it could become a politically untenable situation, especially if gas prices are also high.”

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

One Afghan trader who had gone to Iran's central city of Isfahan thought "maybe the situation would get better", but it quickly became untenable.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

From a business standpoint, keeping Attia at CBS was untenable.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

It's untenable if it pans out that way.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

This left me no course but to regret that I had been “betrayed into a warmth which,” and on the whole to repudiate, as untenable, the idea that I was to be found anywhere.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Related Words

• illogical
• unsound