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
The present situation is untenable for the future health and safety of the city:
New supportive housing for homeless New Yorkers with serious mental illness cycling in and out of jail?
—
Jonathan Lippman, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
He was involved in the team’s business operations and was Dick’s boss until Charlie’s battle with alcohol made that role untenable.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 22 June 2025
While most Israelis are required to serve – three years for men, two for women – Haredi men have long been granted exemptions, a policy increasingly seen as untenable amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
Her grandfather believed that was untenable, Monica Church said, and instead sought compromise with mining groups, ranchers and others.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Jonathan Lippman, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
He was involved in the team’s business operations and was Dick’s boss until Charlie’s battle with alcohol made that role untenable.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 22 June 2025
While most Israelis are required to serve – three years for men, two for women – Haredi men have long been granted exemptions, a policy increasingly seen as untenable amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
Her grandfather believed that was untenable, Monica Church said, and instead sought compromise with mining groups, ranchers and others.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for untenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untenable
Adjective
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Precious metals and mining stocks were weak across both markets.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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In October 2005, a Finnish court acquitted Gustafsson, ruling the evidence against him was too weak and inconsistent.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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In the case of mania, a mental health symptom where patients experience irrational self-belief and happiness, models responded correctly 80% of the time.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 July 2025
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This tracks with an observation made by the journalist David Epstein, who writes in Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World that athletes from tiny towns have irrational levels of success.—
Henry Abbott,
The Atlantic,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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In making arrests, the federal government allegedly went against both immigration laws and the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, the plaintiffs argue.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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Medical device safety alert: issued in situations where a medical device may present an unreasonable risk of substantial harm.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untenable. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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