as in misleading
formal
not capable of being defended against attack or criticism; not tenable
an untenable argument The theory is untenable.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of untenable
The Bulls traded for the giant guard this past summer, sending Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City in exchange for a former first-rounder whose lack of shooting became untenable during the Thunder’s most recent playoff run.
—
Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
While the need for surveillance remained critical, the risk of another pilot capture was untenable.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Notably: One French university recently launched an initiative to welcome American scientists whose work is untenable due to the administration's research cuts.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
The result is a system that makes traditional notions of childhood – with its unwieldy dependencies, its inefficient play and its demands for attention and care – increasingly untenable.
—Anna Mae Duane, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
While the need for surveillance remained critical, the risk of another pilot capture was untenable.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Notably: One French university recently launched an initiative to welcome American scientists whose work is untenable due to the administration's research cuts.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
The result is a system that makes traditional notions of childhood – with its unwieldy dependencies, its inefficient play and its demands for attention and care – increasingly untenable.
—Anna Mae Duane, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
-
Meta Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Newstead called the case weak and a deterrent to tech investment in a blog post on Sunday.—
Jody Godoy,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Then, McIlroy hit a weak drive to the right and was blocked by pines.—
Time,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Judge orders transgender passports despite 'irrational' Trump policy.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
And then there’s the emotional, irrational lift of gilt and glory, the baroque architecture, the Renaissance art, the history stretching back to Jesus and Saint Peter.—
Howard Chua-Eoan,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Courts will not second-guess the safety measures employers adopt, even when those measures infringe on an employee’s privacy, unless the measures are unreasonable under the circumstances.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Companies need to assess their higher costs, and then negotiate with the state regulators who try to protect ratepayers from unreasonable hikes.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share