indefensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indefensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be defended or justified, often in a moral, legal, or logical context. Example: "The actions taken by the organization were deemed indefensible by the public and led to widespread outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He needs to break his silence and say that Israel's actions have been unjustified and indefensible.

The Guardian

"I think for me it's morally indefensible where after four weeks of a conflict more than a quarter of the Gazan population displaced, more than 2,000 people killed, more than 400 innocent children killed, we still cannot find the words to say, we condemn this and we feel this action has been disproportionate.

The Guardian

Neither am I familiar with the group trauma experienced by the Chibok community, or the thousands of other Nigerians who have been devastated by Boko Haram's unspeakable actions and further victimised by their government's indefensible inaction.

The Guardian

"We will not accept the mandatory detention of asylum seekers, because it is ethically indefensible and in breach of human rights; and... as a network of artists, arts workers and a leading cultural organisation, we do not want to be associated with these practices," they said.

The Guardian - Arts

The goodwill that they traditionally enjoyed had been sacrificed – as had the chances of winning an entirely justified dispute – by the NUM's indefensible decision not to ballot its members before the strike began.

The Guardian

And they cheered and clapped once more when he insisted you could not defend the indefensible even when it came to the British army – an institution that he reveres.

The Guardian

The indefensible acceptance of money from a surrogate donor is being exploited by Christopher Huhne as a part of his Liberal Democrat leadership campaign.

The Guardian - Opinion

HMRC's use of powers, reserved for tackling serious criminals, against Mr Osita Mba was indefensible Commons public accounts committee Mba, who trained as a barrister in Nigeria and completed his master's degree at Oxford, worked in the personal-tax litigation team that dealt with the Goldman Sachs tax issue.

The Guardian

Lady Warsi – who unexpectedly resigned last week over the government's "morally indefensible" policy on Gaza – said her party is ignoring "electoral reality" by relying on white voters.

The Guardian

Sayeeda Warsi, the senior Foreign Office minister, has resigned from the government in protest at its policy on Gaza, describing it as "morally indefensible".

The Guardian

In her resignation letter, Warsi said the government's "approach and language during the current crisis in Gaza is morally indefensible, is not in Britain's national interest and will have a long term detrimental impact on our reputation internationally and domestically".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indefensible", ensure the context clearly establishes why the action or belief cannot be justified or defended. Provide specific reasons or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "indefensible" without providing clear context or reasons. Saying something is "indefensible" without explaining why weakens your argument. Always support your claim with specific details.

Linguistic Context

The word "indefensible" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe something that cannot be defended, justified, or excused, either logically, morally, or legally. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of various contexts where the word is used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "indefensible" is frequently used to describe actions, policies, or positions that are impossible to justify or defend. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term carries a strong negative connotation, expressing disapproval or condemnation. Its usage spans various contexts, most prominently in news and media, as well as formal business settings. When employing this word, it is crucial to provide clear context and reasons to strengthen your argument. Alternatives such as "unjustifiable", "inexcusable", and "unpardonable" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings, each emphasizing different aspects of the indefensible nature of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unjustifiable

Focuses on the lack of justification for an action or belief.

inexcusable

Highlights that there's no excuse or reason that makes the action acceptable.

unpardonable

Emphasizes that the action is beyond forgiveness.

unwarranted

Stresses that there's no need or reason for the action.

untenable

Indicates the action or position cannot be maintained or defended.

insupportable

Highlights the lack of evidence or reasons to support the action.

unforgivable

Stresses that the action is so bad it cannot be forgiven.

indefendable

Variant spelling with identical meaning; less common than "indefensible".

without excuse

Directly states the absence of any valid justification.

morally wrong

Focuses specifically on the ethical or moral unacceptability of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "indefensible" in a sentence?

Use "indefensible" to describe something that cannot be justified or defended. For example, "The company's actions were morally "indefensible"".

What's the difference between "indefensible" and "unjustifiable"?

"Indefensible" and "unjustifiable" are very similar. "Indefensible" implies something cannot be defended, while "unjustifiable" suggests it lacks a valid reason or excuse. Both can often be used interchangeably.

What can I say instead of "indefensible"?

You can use alternatives like "unjustifiable", "inexcusable", or "unpardonable" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "morally indefensible"?

Yes, "morally indefensible" is a common and correct usage. It emphasizes that the action or belief violates moral principles and cannot be ethically justified.