as in misleading
formal
not capable of being defended against attack or criticism; not tenable
an untenable argument The theory is untenable.
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Recent Examples of untenable
Of all of the arguments against the death penalty, the strongest is that even one conviction of an innocent person is both irreversible and ethically untenable.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
As if that's not enough, Amazon is implementing a new set of policies that some sellers say make doing business on the platform increasingly untenable.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
While these are easily recognizable (and low quality), the assignment became untenable.
—ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
This is not a Republican or Democratic issue, but rather a very grave policy issue putting the health crisis facing the American people in an untenable position.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
As if that's not enough, Amazon is implementing a new set of policies that some sellers say make doing business on the platform increasingly untenable.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
While these are easily recognizable (and low quality), the assignment became untenable.
—ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
This is not a Republican or Democratic issue, but rather a very grave policy issue putting the health crisis facing the American people in an untenable position.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
-
Despite the misleading context and language, 46% of Virginians voted against the amendment.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
Suggesting that law enforcement needs to monitor the movements of the entire population to solve crimes is both misleading and historically false.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Based on the popular 1960s spy sitcom, this weak adaptation casts Steve Carell as a bumbling secret agent, with Hathaway as his more competent partner and developing love interest.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
In particular, researchers experimentally demonstrated quadsqueezing, a complex fourth-order quantum interaction previously considered too weak to observe.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Surveys show a 50-50 divide, but Trump’s real base is his same irrational 30%.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Letting Jinx stay is yet another act of irrational love from Margo.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sibrian then retaliated against Soto for her claims by reducing her hourly wage, assigning unreasonable workloads and changing her schedule, according to the lawsuit.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
If these requirements are not met, the search is unreasonable and therefore unlawful, and evidence obtained in that search cannot be used in court, barring a good-faith exception.—
Anne Toomey McKenna,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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