as in misleading
formal
not capable of being defended against attack or criticism; not tenable
an untenable argument The theory is untenable.
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Recent Examples of untenable
But many executives still live in Manhattan, and the commute to Brooklyn can quickly feel untenable for employees who don’t live there.
—
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 May 2026
Holder, 73, had been an occupational therapist, but an injury made that untenable, so she was intrigued by the idea of investing from home.
—Anna Schecter, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The 10-month investigation underscores Beijing’s efforts to crack down on intense price competition that has driven companies, into an untenable self-defeating cycle, in this case, lower prices on delivery platforms at the expense of food safety.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Those vociferous, flat-out denials had been enough to sway the politicians and union leaders who endorsed Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid, until the weight of evidence made Swalwell’s assertions untenable.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 May 2026
Holder, 73, had been an occupational therapist, but an injury made that untenable, so she was intrigued by the idea of investing from home.
—Anna Schecter, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The 10-month investigation underscores Beijing’s efforts to crack down on intense price competition that has driven companies, into an untenable self-defeating cycle, in this case, lower prices on delivery platforms at the expense of food safety.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Those vociferous, flat-out denials had been enough to sway the politicians and union leaders who endorsed Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid, until the weight of evidence made Swalwell’s assertions untenable.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
-
Martin suggested that other Republicans are circulating equally misleading mailers, but that the party is targeting DeMaio.—
Andrew Graham
May 15,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
-
The show has already done these misleading posters, including one where Homelander floats in space, watching nukes go off on Earth below.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Typically, this imaging uses sensors that can pick up femtotesla or picatesla range of magnetic fields, weaker than even refrigerator magnets.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
22 May 2026
-
In some cases, value starts to soften not because the business is weak, but because the growth story is not fully proven.—
David Chapman,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Institutional trading desks spend enormous amounts of time studying behavior, emotional responses and risk tolerance because markets constantly pressure people into making irrational decisions.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
The bullish argument goes that earnings season went better than expected, so the rally isn’t irrational.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sterling failed to live up to unreasonable expectations created by his huge contract, which quickly became a millstone.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The construction strikes many locals as both unreasonable and unstoppable.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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