as in unacceptable
too bad to be excused or justified
the city's lack of preparedness for a major natural disaster was utterly indefensible
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Recent Examples of indefensible
But by the late 1950s, ICBMs emerged – and these deadly intercontinental ballistic missiles presented North America with a more insidious (and for a long time, indefensible) threat.
—
Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
In that sense, what Spotify is saying is indefensible.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2026
The killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week sure has prompted a lot of indefensible responses.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
The shift away from recommending that all children six months or older receive an annual flu shot is particularly indefensible on the heels of last year’s flu season, which was the deadliest for kids in two decades, and amid a severe flu season this year that is straining hospitals nationwide.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
In that sense, what Spotify is saying is indefensible.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2026
The killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week sure has prompted a lot of indefensible responses.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
The shift away from recommending that all children six months or older receive an annual flu shot is particularly indefensible on the heels of last year’s flu season, which was the deadliest for kids in two decades, and amid a severe flu season this year that is straining hospitals nationwide.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indefensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indefensible
Adjective
-
Even in the absence of any proven crime committed by Tisch, even in the naivest retelling or understanding of Tisch’s correspondences with Epstein, his unacceptable relationship with this man deserves censure.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Artemis has been trudging along at a once-every-three-years flight rate, which Isaacman deems unacceptable.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Salim has to be the pragmatic one who pretends everything around them isn’t morally unjustifiable just to get through the day without losing his mind.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, said the war was morally unjustifiable.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Voto Latino leaders said in a statement that no matter his legacy or historical framing Chavez’ actions are inexcusable.—
Fernanda Figueroa,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Skipping that view may seem like an inexcusable oversight.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Asian version will take flight after the original contest takes place in Vienna in May, with 35 countries competing in the singing contest known for outrageous costumes, towering ballads and high-energy performances.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
31 Mar. 2026
-
There is a difference between being anti-establishment and not supporting Israel as opposed to outrageous, radical views laced with antisemitism.—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Conservatives and Republicans in Congress continue to claim that the cost of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits is an insupportable burden on America, so benefits need to be cut, though President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to preserve entitlements like Social Security and Medicare.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Jan. 2025
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There are people of goodwill who think the way out of this insupportable situation lies in the fight for equal democratic rights in a single state for everyone living in the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.—
Michelle Goldberg,
The Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2024
Adjective
-
Locally, Israel has taken advantage of the strategically unforgivable decision by Hezbollah to join the fighting on behalf of its Iranian patrons.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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In 2024, Schertz made the unforgivable mistake of losing at exactly the wrong time.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
More to the point: Doing nothing would be unpardonable.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
27 Nov. 2025
-
If Sam is wrong, his journalistic sin is unpardonable.—
Neal B. Freeman,
National Review,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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This vicious cycle increases until the energy is released essentially in an explosion.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indefensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefensible. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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