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   A number of exporters have called for the measure to be withdrawn, maintaining it has imposed an untenable strain on their working capital.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

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Etymology

Origin of untenable

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

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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

See Examples For:

untenable

Particularly In Texas, this puts hundreds of thousands of Muslims in an untenable position.

From Slate ● Nov. 2, 2026

It dropped the flight path in March, after adjusting the route via Central Asia and finding the distance was untenable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

That wait-and-see approach became untenable after the disaster in Nepal.

From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2026

Lower debt: High-interest debt from credit cards, car loans or student loans can quickly drain any budget and make living on less income untenable.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

There are always untenable events, freak happenings like someone recognizing you, or at worst, the trouble results from a foolish and negligent spy, like my time with Luzan.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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Related Words

• illogical
• unsound

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