as in misleading
formal
not capable of being defended against attack or criticism; not tenable
an untenable argument The theory is untenable.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 untenable
The Bulls traded for the giant guard this past summer, sending Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City in exchange for a former first-rounder whose lack of shooting became untenable during the Thunder’s most recent playoff run.
—
Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
While the need for surveillance remained critical, the risk of another pilot capture was untenable.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Notably: One French university recently launched an initiative to welcome American scientists whose work is untenable due to the administration's research cuts.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
The result is a system that makes traditional notions of childhood – with its unwieldy dependencies, its inefficient play and its demands for attention and care – increasingly untenable.
—Anna Mae Duane, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
While the need for surveillance remained critical, the risk of another pilot capture was untenable.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Notably: One French university recently launched an initiative to welcome American scientists whose work is untenable due to the administration's research cuts.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
The result is a system that makes traditional notions of childhood – with its unwieldy dependencies, its inefficient play and its demands for attention and care – increasingly untenable.
—Anna Mae Duane, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
-
Carbonaceous chondrites tend to be weaker and more crumbly than other meteorites, so these objects just don’t stand as much of a chance.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Then, McIlroy hit a weak drive to the right and was blocked by pines.—
Time,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Added to the chaos is the underlying rudimentary calculation of tariff levels that have produced wildly uneven and irrational effects on trading partners with no readily discernible policy value.—
Jerrold Lundquist,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The characters are believably upset and irrational for much of the play.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The words were harsh but the logic was not unreasonable.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
This would not be an unreasonable proposition, considering the U.S. already pledged a security guarantee to Ukraine upon its return of all nuclear warheads to Russia by 1996, based on the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances.—
Seung-Whan Choi,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share