defensible

1 of 2

adjective

de·​fen·​si·​ble di-ˈfen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce defensible (audio)
Synonyms of defensiblenext
: capable of being defended
defensible theories
a defensible hill
defensibility
di-ˌfen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce defensible (audio)
ˌdē-
noun
defensibly
di-ˈfen(t)-sə-blē How to pronounce defensible (audio)
adverb

defensibility

2 of 2

noun

de·​fen·​si·​bil·​i·​ty də̇ˌfen(t)səˈbilətē How to pronounce defensibility (audio)
(ˌ)dēˌ-, 
-ətē, 
-i
plural -es
: the quality or state of being defensible

Synonyms of defensible

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of defensible in a Sentence

Adjective Both candidates hold defensible positions on the issue. Under those circumstances, her actions were completely defensible. Slavery is not morally defensible. The city has a defensible location.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
In other words, the real advantage will come from making LLMs operationally visible, accountable and defensible. — Sandeep Shivam, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 At the individual-home scale, home hardening and creating defensible space around homes can reduce the probability of a fire reaching the home. — John Abatzoglou, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defensible

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English defensable, defensible "ready to fight, easily defended," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin dēfensābilis "able to be defended," from Latin dēfensāre "to act in defense" (frequentative of dēfendere "to defend") + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defensible was in the 14th century

Rhymes for defensible

See All Rhymes for defensible

Browse Nearby Words

defensibility
defensible
defensive
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Cite this Entry

“Defensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defensible. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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