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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Recent Examples of tenable
As a result, Washington’s default approach to Moscow is no longer tenable.
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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
Over the years, the rules loosened, and the number of deaths seen as tenable rose drastically.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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
Over the years, the rules loosened, and the number of deaths seen as tenable rose drastically.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenable
Adjective
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Bond Talk Given its direct market impacts, the market’s focus on algorithmic trading is understandable and justifiable.Barnet Sherman, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
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In tying both Diana and Maria’s tragedy to Boleyn’s, Larraín furthers his dialogue with history, showcasing that women, especially women in power, have long been maligned and punished without justifiable cause.Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Every property with 100 feet of defensible space slows the spread of a wildfire.Eric Mack, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
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The Los Angeles fires that have damaged more than 12,000 structures are a reminder of a new but growing reality for Americans living in hotter, drier and more fire-prone areas – the need to create defensible space and fire-harden their homes.Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What is the best way to stay private, secure and anonymous while browsing the web?Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Authorities say the checkpoints are necessary to keep the area safe and secure.Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tenable
Cite this Entry
“Tenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenable. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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