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
South Korean defense strategists have pointed out that this situation would become untenable if their country’s only nuclear ally, the United States, were to withdraw.
—
Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
His friendship with Wash defies simplistic categorization: While sincere in feeling, its inherently untenable contradictions amount to a ticking time bomb, apparently destined to blow up in the back half of the series.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
Meanwhile, champion Max Verstappen fought for podium finishes in the same car, and the gap between the two drivers was untenable for the team.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
The best football teams are the ones which can endure all conditions, no matter how untenable.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
His friendship with Wash defies simplistic categorization: While sincere in feeling, its inherently untenable contradictions amount to a ticking time bomb, apparently destined to blow up in the back half of the series.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
Meanwhile, champion Max Verstappen fought for podium finishes in the same car, and the gap between the two drivers was untenable for the team.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
The best football teams are the ones which can endure all conditions, no matter how untenable.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
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This downward movement was attributed to both weak job figures and a new round of U.S. tariffs announced by Trump.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
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Last month and August 2024 also saw a weak start, so this comes as no surprise.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And even some buyers who pride themselves on discipline and efficiency turn somewhat irrational.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
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The firm’s Hype Cycle normalizes — even glamorizes — the irrational, costly overpromising and overselling that hype entails.—
Eric Siegel,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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His exact demands are unknown but given his status as one of the world’s leading players a range of £250,000 to £300,000 a week is far from unreasonable.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
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Barbara Attard, a police accountability expert, said meet and confer can last months, but beyond a year is unreasonable.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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