defensible

adjective

de·​fen·​si·​ble di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl 

: capable of being defended

defensible theories

a defensible hill

defensibility

di-ˌfen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌdē-

noun

defensibly

di-ˈfen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• defendable
• tenable

Examples of defensible in a Sentence

Both candidates hold defensible positions on the issue.

Under those circumstances, her actions were completely defensible.

Slavery is not morally defensible.

The city has a defensible location.

Recent Examples on the Web

Acuña says that Cal Fire provides tips for home- and landowners looking to fire-proof their property through landscaping and creating defensible space. —Hannah Singleton, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2025

For residents of Los Angeles County, at least, there is a legal mandate to maintain defensible space — the area around a structure that must meet certain brush clearance and firescape specifications — of only 200 feet. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2025

Fire-resistant architecture and defensible open space around homes is credited with saving some homes from the devastation of the Palisades and Eaton fires. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Starting in the highest-risk areas, existing structures must be retrofitted to add fire-resistant features and create surrounding defensible space. —Tom Corringham, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English defensable, defensible "ready to fight, easily defended," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin dēfensābilis "able to be defended," from Latin dēfensāre "to act in defense" (frequentative of dēfendere "to defend") + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above