defensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'defensible' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is an adjective that means capable of being defended or justified. One could use the word 'defensible' in a legal context, for example: "The defendant's actions were defensible under the circumstances." This means that the defendant's actions were justifiable or able to be defended in court. Another example could be in a military context: "The general's fortified position was highly defensible against enemy attacks." This means that the general's position was strong and able to be defended against enemy attacks. In general, 'defensible' can be used to describe anything that can be defended or justified, whether it be a position, an action, an argument, etc.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the great majority of people voted for either of the two main parties, that was a defensible position.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cable believes the coalition, after some false starts, has landed on a defensible policy that amounts to a graduate contribution based on the ability to pay.

The Guardian

Security measures including gates and internal doors elicited a similar response, with residents illustrating that "defensible space" can increase fear of strangers.

The Guardian

SBD has its roots in the idea of "defensible space", created by the American architect and town planner Oscar Newman in the early 1970s, as a result of research he carried out in three deprived New York housing projects.

The Guardian

Both in the US and in Britain the idea of defensible space was very popular because it provided a simple solution: rather than engaging with complex social relations as the underlying causes of crime, SBD promoted the idea that environmental design was the biggest influence on behaviour.

The Guardian

Related: Malcolm Turnbull denies influencing SBS sacking of Scott McIntyre for Anzac tweets Whether you think McIntyre's comments about Anzac Day were factually and historically defensible, compare them with the comments about Indigenous Australians that landed Andrew Bolt in the dock.

The Guardian - Opinion

Today, SBD is based on a combination of defensible space ideas and the purchase of security products, strongly backed by the insurance industry, which provides lower premiums for properties with SBD.

The Guardian

So far, so defensible, but he then made a show of signing a pledge not to raise fees during the election – only to revert now to his prior position that abolition would be a mistake.

The Guardian - Opinion

But while this is certainly a more defensible position than breathless technophilia, or the blithe stories of triumphally self-regulating urban ecosystems the vendors themselves peddle, I happen to believe this is not the case.

The Guardian

"Unless you can deal with these social and political issues then any kind of geoengineering would be unviable anyway – or at least any remotely ethically defensible version would be unviable".

The Guardian

All of which may be defensible in terms of FoI law.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defensible", ensure you can clearly articulate the reasons or evidence that support the position or action you are describing as defensible. Specificity strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "defensible" when the justification is weak or relies on subjective opinion. Overstating defensibility can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defensible" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something capable of being defended or justified. Ludwig AI affirms that the term follows standard grammar rules and is frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "defensible" is commonly used to describe something that can be justified or protected. Ludwig AI indicates that it adheres to standard grammatical rules and appears frequently in various contexts, most notably in news and media. When using "defensible", ensure your claims are well-supported to avoid undermining your credibility. Alternatives such as "justifiable" or "tenable" can be used depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. Overall, "defensible" is a valuable term for asserting validity and reason.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiable

Emphasizes the moral or legal basis for being excused or vindicated.

tenable

Focuses on the capacity to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.

maintainable

Highlights the capacity of being upheld or preserved.

supportable

Stresses the ability to be upheld or validated by evidence or argument.

vindicated

Suggests the state of being cleared of blame or suspicion with supporting arguments.

able to be upheld

Focuses on the capacity to be preserved or confirmed.

warrantable

Highlights that an action is officially acceptable and permissible.

excusable

Emphasizes that an action or behavior is able to be forgiven.

protected

Emphasizes the state of being shielded from harm or attack.

secure

Highlights the state of being safe and free from risk.

FAQs

How can I use "defensible" in a sentence?

You can use "defensible" to describe a position, argument, or action that can be justified or defended. For instance, "The company's pricing strategy was "defensible" given the high cost of raw materials."

What are some synonyms for "defensible"?

Alternatives to "defensible" include "justifiable", "tenable", and "supportable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "defensible" or "justified"?

Both "defensible" and "justified" imply that something is right or reasonable. "Defensible" emphasizes the capacity to be defended against attack or criticism, while "justified" emphasizes having a good reason or excuse. The nuance depends on your context.

What does it mean when something is described as a "defensible position"?

A "defensible position" implies that there are valid arguments or reasons to support a particular stance or course of action, making it reasonable to maintain even in the face of opposition or scrutiny.