1
as in defendable
capable of being defended against physical attack
the soldiers' encampment on the open plain was not tenable, so they retreated to higher ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifiable
capable of being defended with good reasoning against verbal attack
the tenable theory that a giant meteor strike set off a chain of events resulting in the demise of the dinosaurs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tenable
In order to change the status quo and make Housing First a more tenable system in the city, the officials argued legislative changes would be required on state and federal levels to ease restrictions around the low-income housing tax credit and other funding streams.
—
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
And all this criticism without any sense of whether the ceasefire was really meant to be tenable for long.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
The status quo — an impasse where TikTok operates as normal with the seemingly empty threat of a ban hanging over its head — won’t be tenable for much longer.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
Such a move obviously won’t be tenable if Tavares is sidelined after a concerning departure from practice on Wednesday.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
And all this criticism without any sense of whether the ceasefire was really meant to be tenable for long.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
The status quo — an impasse where TikTok operates as normal with the seemingly empty threat of a ban hanging over its head — won’t be tenable for much longer.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
Such a move obviously won’t be tenable if Tavares is sidelined after a concerning departure from practice on Wednesday.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
-
Given the demonstrated fan interest and commercial value of women's basketball, there's no justifiable reason to maintain this outdated format difference between the men's and women's tournaments.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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The promise of a $225,000 starting salary at a top corporate law firm is luring many, making the financial burden of law school seem more justifiable.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Local fire districts preached the opposite: Maintain a defensible space around your home, clear pine straw, trees and shrubs to reduce fire risk.—
CalMatters,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
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But mitigating those risks — adding a defensible space around the home, for example, or ember-safe attic vents — could make homeowners eligible for discounts on premiums.—
Ron Lieber,
New York Times,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Back Up Important Data Keep secure backups of important files and system states.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Slice a chicken breast almost in half, tuck a slice of Boursin inside, wrap with bacon, secure with a wooden pick, and bake at 375°F in a casserole dish until cooked through, about 35 minutes.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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