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
But such a move is considered politically untenable in California, where the film incentive program has faced opposition from critics who argue that subsidizing entertainment comes at the expense of other worthy causes, such as education and healthcare.
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Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
The event was reinstated, but the resulting tensions between her and her board proved untenable.
—Maddie Klett, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Due to a breakdown in relations between the Vivienne Westwood company and the Vivienne Foundation, my role within the company has become untenable.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024
But cutting benefits – including raising the retirement age — is politically and ethically untenable, particularly when so many Americans are already struggling to save for retirement.
—Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for untenable 
Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
The event was reinstated, but the resulting tensions between her and her board proved untenable.
—Maddie Klett, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Due to a breakdown in relations between the Vivienne Westwood company and the Vivienne Foundation, my role within the company has become untenable.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024
But cutting benefits – including raising the retirement age — is politically and ethically untenable, particularly when so many Americans are already struggling to save for retirement.
—Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
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Other checks on Trump’s policy will also be far weaker.Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
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Each endpoint can be assessed to sniff out weak points.PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Another possible argument is the arbitrators’ decision is irrational given the evidence and testimony or, similarly, the arbitrators relied on materials and insights that were inapplicable or vulnerable to bias.Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024
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Stereotypes like these harm Latinas by turning us into unhinged and irrational women in the popular imagination of white U.S. society.Nicole Froio, refinery29.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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As Barca laboured and eventually failed to land some of its transfer targets such as Nico Williams, the proposal for Casado might not have seemed too unreasonable at the time.Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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The indictment alleged Hankison deprived Taylor of the right to be free from unreasonable seizures and deprived her neighbors of the right to be free from the deprivation of liberty without due process of law.Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near untenable
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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