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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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
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Recent Examples of defensible
For instance, fire-resistant materials, defensible spaces and stricter building codes could save lives and homes.
—
Abhinav Anne, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
For example, failing to maintain defensible space around a property—such as not clearing dry vegetation or flammable debris—can lead to denied claims if a wildfire damages the home.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Create a 5-foot perimeter around your house The first and most important aspect of creating defensible space is what experts call Zone Zero.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Every property with 100 feet of defensible space slows the spread of a wildfire.
—Eric MacK, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defensible 
Abhinav Anne, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
For example, failing to maintain defensible space around a property—such as not clearing dry vegetation or flammable debris—can lead to denied claims if a wildfire damages the home.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Create a 5-foot perimeter around your house The first and most important aspect of creating defensible space is what experts call Zone Zero.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Every property with 100 feet of defensible space slows the spread of a wildfire.
—Eric MacK, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defensible
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Cite this Entry
“Defensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defensible. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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