1
as in defendable
capable of being defended against physical attack
the soldiers' encampment on the open plain was not tenable, so they retreated to higher ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifiable
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack
the tenable theory that a giant meteor strike set off a chain of events resulting in the demise of the dinosaurs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tenable
The status quo — an impasse where TikTok operates as normal with the seemingly empty threat of a ban hanging over its head — won’t be tenable for much longer.
—
Vox Staff, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
Such a move obviously won’t be tenable if Tavares is sidelined after a concerning departure from practice on Wednesday.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
But that is no longer tenable, and Swinney seems to recognize that.
—Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
If so, that might mean that planets which heretofore would never have been seen suitable for the evolution of complex life might become tenable for the evolution of intelligence.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Vox Staff, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
Such a move obviously won’t be tenable if Tavares is sidelined after a concerning departure from practice on Wednesday.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
But that is no longer tenable, and Swinney seems to recognize that.
—Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
If so, that might mean that planets which heretofore would never have been seen suitable for the evolution of complex life might become tenable for the evolution of intelligence.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
-
In many cases, anger and resentment are valid, justifiable responses in conflict.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Many promising young people, making government service as a career, have been suddenly fired without justifiable reason.—
Peter Buonome,
Hartford Courant,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Homeowners in those zones, meanwhile, must maintain defensible space and conduct annual brush clearance.—
Ari Plachta,
Sacramento Bee,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The 100 feet of defensible space doesn’t mean every plant will be yanked out.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Orange County Register,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Over a decade the breakaway region felt secure enough in its relationship with Georgia and vice versa that the constitutional court of Georgia is now in Adjara.—
Saleem H. Ali,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Once Vinny felt safe and secure in his new surroundings, his confidence reemerged and Soots set to work on his physical rehabilitation.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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