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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tenable
After the events of the last week, the Trump administration may decide that a U.S. presence in Iraq is no longer tenable, particularly in an election year.
—
Emma Sky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2020
As a result, Washington’s default approach to Moscow is no longer tenable.
—Anna Arutunyan, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2021
That’s not tenable, even in the places where that’s currently our world.
—Izzie Ramirez, Vox, 21 Nov. 2024
Time will tell whether or not his portal/yearly free agency strategy is tenable.
—Christopher Kamrani, The Athletic, 27 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tenable 
Emma Sky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2020
As a result, Washington’s default approach to Moscow is no longer tenable.
—Anna Arutunyan, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2021
That’s not tenable, even in the places where that’s currently our world.
—Izzie Ramirez, Vox, 21 Nov. 2024
Time will tell whether or not his portal/yearly free agency strategy is tenable.
—Christopher Kamrani, The Athletic, 27 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
-
To many in the U.S. foreign policy community, giving the Ukrainians carte-blanch was viewed as morally justifiable—why pressure a victim whose sovereignty was just violated?—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
9 Jan. 2025
-
Losing by one possession on the road to a conference opponent at the end of a long week with three games is perfectly justifiable.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
Its French-barrette closure ensures a secure, no-budge fit, too.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Automation in cryptographic management is essential for maintaining secure operations amid changing standards.—
Skip Sanzeri,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tenable
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share