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   A number of exporters have called for the measure to be withdrawn, maintaining it has imposed an untenable strain on their working capital.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

See Examples For:

untenable

A number of CDU politicians had urged Spahn to give up his leadership post, arguing that his decision to use a surrogate mother despite the party's clear position was untenable.

From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026

To Machado’s supporters, the mounting anger over Rodríguez’s disaster response showed that Washington’s reliance on the interim government was untenable in the long run without laying the groundwork for a transition.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

In his statement, shared on his LinkedIn page, Edwards said while he disagreed with how the investigation had been carried out, "I accept that my position has become untenable".

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

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

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