defensible

adjective

di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce defensible (audio)
Definition of defensiblenext
1
as in defendable
capable of being defended against physical attack the pioneers retreated to a defensible hillside to take a stand against the raiders

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifiable
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack there's simply no defensible reason for dropping out of school

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 defensible Select less-flammable plant species to plant within the zone of defensible space. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Adjusters often end up navigating multiple tools, inconsistent data sources and duplicate workflows, while still trying to make accurate and defensible decisions under tight timelines. — David Tobias, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, those that cleared vegetation from Zone Zero had a survival rate of 37%, and those with comprehensive home hardening and defensible space had a survival rate of 48%. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Fire agencies conduct home inspections for vegetation and defensible space in many high-risk areas. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defensible
  1. defendable
  2. justifiable
  3. defended
  4. protected
  5. secured
Adjective
  • For months the university has been briefing journalists that its appointment system is rigorous and defendable, and that the campaign was targeted against a Black academic because of his race.
    — Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Even if maritime regulators demanded shippers purchase more defendable vessels, the crews aboard are unready for the challenge.
    — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of defendable
Adjective
  • The valuation of Fernandez is entirely justifiable within the context of the huge fees paid by several Premier League clubs, and specifically City, for high-level central midfielders this summer.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Having lost its attempt to invalidate the FCC’s process for issuing financial penalties, Verizon now wants another chance to argue that the fine itself wasn’t legally justifiable.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of justifiable
Adjective
  • That additional space supports higher burnout velocity and helps expand the interceptor’s defended area.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The line of four large and heavily defended cities, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) long, has been key to denying Moscow its goal of seizing Ukraine's industrial heartland.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of defended
Adjective
  • The main Wekiva River was designated by Congress in 2000 as a protected National Wild and Scenic River.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
  • This includes Ukraine, where the Russian language recently lost protected status.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of protected
Adjective
  • If the death benefit isn't sufficient to compensate the grandchildren, the trust can provide them with a secured note, placing a lien on the family business, according to Fox.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Then, in 2023, Bhumjaithai secured control of the powerful Ministry of Interior, which oversees local governance in Thailand, including more than 70,000 village headmen.
    — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of secured

Browse Nearby Words

defenses
defensible
defensive
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Cite this Entry

“Defensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensible. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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