untenable

/' n'ten bl/

Thân thiện

His argument was untenable from the very beginning.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Incapable of being defended or justified: Used to describe a position, argument, theory, or situation that is so weak, flawed, or illogical that it cannot be maintained or supported against criticism or attack. 2. Incapable of being occupied or held: Used to describe a physical position, such as a military fortification, that cannot be defended against an enemy.

Usage and Examples

• Describing an argument or theory:
  • His central argument was based on false data, making his entire thesis untenable.
  • The company's untenable explanation for the data breach only increased public anger.
• Describing a position or situation:
  • The scandal put the minister in an untenable position, forcing her to resign.
  • Continuing with the current business model is financially untenable.

Advanced Usage

• "Render something untenable": To cause a position or argument to become impossible to defend.
  • The new evidence rendered the prosecutor's case untenable.
• "Become untenable": To reach a point where something can no longer be maintained.
  • The working conditions had become untenable, leading to a mass walkout.

Variants and Related Words

• Untenability (noun): The quality or state of being untenable.
  • The untenability of their legal position was clear to everyone in the courtroom.

Synonyms

• Indefensible: Cannot be defended or justified.
• Unsupportable: Cannot be supported with evidence or logic.
• Unjustifiable: Impossible to justify or excuse.
• Unmaintainable: Impossible to continue or keep in existence.

Antonyms

• Tenable: Capable of being defended or maintained.
• Defensible: Justifiable by argument or capable of being protected.
• Sound: Based on valid reasoning or evidence; secure.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. (of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified

Từ đồng nghĩa

• indefensible