difficult to defend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to defend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a position, argument, or situation that lacks strong justification or support. Example: "The theory presented in the paper is difficult to defend against opposing viewpoints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is very difficult to defend".

The Guardian - Arts

It was really difficult to defend.

The Guardian - Sport

Firstly, aesthetic judgments are subjective and often difficult to defend.

The New York Times - Arts

One is that the Baltic states are difficult to defend.

The Economist

And I think that's very difficult to defend".

The New York Times - Sports

He's big, strong, fast and obviously difficult to defend".

The New York Times - Sports

Nf7 made it difficult to defend the black king.

The New York Times - Arts

It is very difficult to defend against the possibility of connecting to a fake access point.

Seven Deadliest Wireless Technologies Attacks

Because herds are vulnerable to poaching, they can be difficult to defend.

Harvard University

The mere threat of being mobile made him more difficult to defend.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were physical and brought Crouch in, and it's difficult to defend.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to defend", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being defended and why it poses a challenge. Provide specific reasons or examples to strengthen your point.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to defend" without specifying the subject or providing context. This can make your statement vague and less impactful. Always clarify what is challenging to defend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to defend" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It typically describes a noun or concept, indicating that providing justification or support for it is challenging. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples, showing the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to defend" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that lacks strong justification or is hard to support. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase sees frequent use in diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. When using the phrase, it's important to provide clear context to specify what is being defended and why it poses a challenge. Alternatives like "hard to justify" or "challenging to support" can be used depending on the specific nuances you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indefensible

Directly states that something cannot be defended at all.

hard to justify

Focuses on the lack of justification rather than the act of defending.

challenging to support

Highlights the difficulty in providing evidence or aid.

tough to validate

Emphasizes the struggle to prove the truth or accuracy of something.

not easily justifiable

Indicates that something lacks reasonable grounds.

problematic to uphold

Stresses the issues in maintaining or defending a principle or decision.

tenuous to maintain

Highlights the weak or shaky nature of something being defended.

unconvincing to argue

Focuses on the lack of persuasiveness in advocating for something.

unsustainable to advocate

Emphasizes the inability to continue supporting a cause or idea.

flimsy to assert

Implies that the claim being defended is weak and easily challenged.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to defend" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to defend" when you want to express that a particular viewpoint, argument, or action lacks sufficient justification or is hard to support. For example, "That policy is "difficult to defend" given the ethical concerns it raises."

What can I say instead of "difficult to defend"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to justify", "challenging to support", or "not easily justifiable" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to defend" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "difficult to defend" when discussing topics where there is a need to justify a position or explain why it is hard to maintain. This could be in academic writing, news reporting, or even everyday conversation.

What's the difference between ""difficult to defend"" and "indefensible"?

"Difficult to defend" suggests a challenge in providing justification, while "indefensible" implies that something is completely impossible to justify or support.