Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Incapable of being justified or explained: Used to describe actions, arguments, or positions that are so wrong or unreasonable that they cannot be supported with valid reasons.
   • Not able to be protected against attack: Refers to a physical position, such as a military fortification or a strategic location, that is vulnerable and cannot be adequately defended.
   • (Of theories, etc.) incapable of being defended or justified: Describes ideas, principles, or logical arguments that are fundamentally flawed and cannot be upheld in debate or discussion.

Usage Examples

• Moral/Logical Justification:
  • The company's decision to dump toxic waste was morally indefensible.
  • His argument was based on such flawed logic that it was completely indefensible.
• Military/Vulnerability:
  • The castle was built on an indefensible plain, making it an easy target for invaders.
  • Their flank was left indefensible after the troops retreated.

Advanced Usage

• "indefensible position": A stance or opinion that cannot be logically or morally supported.
  • The politician found himself in an indefensible position after his contradictory statements were revealed.
• "render indefensible": To make something impossible to defend.
  • The new evidence rendered their legal case utterly indefensible.

Variants and Related Words

• Indefensibly (adverb): In a manner that cannot be justified.
  • He acted indefensibly by ignoring the safety protocols.
• Defensible (adjective): The direct opposite, meaning capable of being defended or justified.
  • From a strategic hilltop, their position was highly defensible.

Synonyms

• Inexcusable: Too bad to be justified or tolerated.
• Unjustifiable: Impossible to excuse or justify.
• Untenable: (Especially of a position or theory) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.

Antonyms

• Defensible: Capable of being defended.
• Justifiable: Able to be shown to be right or reasonable.
• Excusable: Able to be forgiven or overlooked.

Related Phrases

• Beyond defense: So clearly wrong that no defense is possible.
  • The cruelty of the act put it beyond defense.
• Indefensible conduct: Behavior that cannot be justified.
  • The committee condemned the manager's indefensible conduct.

Adjective

1. incapable of being justified or explained
2. not able to be protected against attack
3. (of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified