Definition

Adjective: 1. Capable of being endured or tolerated: Describes something unpleasant or difficult that can be borne or put up with. 2. Capable of being upheld or defended: Describes an argument, theory, or position that can be maintained or justified with evidence.

Usage and Examples

• As an adjective meaning "bearable":
  • The heat was intense but just about supportable with a fan.
  • The pain from the injury was supportable with medication.
• As an adjective meaning "defensible":
  • His hypothesis is supportable by the data from the recent experiments.
  • The lawyer argued that the client's actions were supportable under the law.

Advanced Usage

• "Barely supportable": Used to emphasize that something is only just tolerable or defensible.
  • The living conditions in the camp were barely supportable.
  • His excuse for being late was barely supportable.

Variants and Related Words

• Support (verb/noun): To bear the weight of; to give assistance or approval to; the act of supporting.
• Supportive (adjective): Providing encouragement or emotional help.
• Supported (adjective): Held up or having received backing.
• Insupportable (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning unbearable or unjustifiable.

Synonyms

• Bearable: Able to be endured.
• Tolerable: Able to be tolerated or endured.
• Endurable: Able to be endured.
• Defensible: Justifiable by argument.
• Sustainable: Able to be maintained or upheld (over time).

Antonyms

• Insupportable: Unbearable; impossible to justify.
• Unbearable: Not able to be endured.
• Intolerable: Not able to be tolerated.
• Indefensible: Not justifiable by argument.

Notes on Meaning

The primary and most common meaning of supportable relates to endurance (e.g., supportable pain). The meaning related to defending a position (e.g., a supportable theory) is less frequent but valid. The context usually makes the intended meaning clear.

Adjective

1. capable of being borne though unpleasant
   • sufferable punishment