SKIP TO CONTENT

indefensible

/ˌɪndəˈfɛnsəbəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: indefensibly

Something that's indefensible is inexcusable — there's no way to justify it. It's indefensible to take candy from a baby, or to give candy TO a baby, for that matter.

Indefensible behavior is just plain terrible, and it can't be explained away. It's indefensible, for example, or for one country to drop a bomb on innocent civilians in another country. Indefensible, "not able to be defended," comes from in-, "not," plus the Latin defendere and its sense of "allege in defense."

Definitions of indefensible
  1. adjective
    not able to be protected against attack
    synonyms:
    vulnerable
    susceptible to attack
  2. adjective
    incapable of being justified or explained
    inexcusable
    without excuse or justification
  3. adjective
    (of theories, etc.) incapable of being defended or justified
    synonyms: untenable
    unreasonable
    not reasonable; not showing good judgment
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘indefensible'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family