is indefensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is indefensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, argument, or action that cannot be justified or defended. Example: "His actions during the incident were so egregious that they are indefensible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is indefensible".

Independent

This law is indefensible.

The New York Times

The decision is indefensible.

The New York Times

The disparity is indefensible.

The New York Times

That is indefensible.

The New York Times

That sentiment is indefensible.

The Guardian - Opinion

His position is indefensible.

The Guardian

"Bush v. Gore is indefensible.

The Economist

Everybody knows smoking is indefensible.

The New Yorker

Harboring accused criminals is indefensible.

The New York Times

Hiding behind sub-contractors is indefensible".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is indefensible" to express strong disapproval or disagreement with an action, policy, or argument. Ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is considered indefensible.

Common error

Avoid using "is indefensible" for minor disagreements or subjective preferences. Reserve it for situations involving significant ethical, logical, or practical flaws to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is indefensible" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or pronoun as being impossible to defend or justify. Ludwig examples show it's used to express strong disagreement or condemnation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is indefensible" is a strong and direct way to express that something cannot be justified or defended. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in various contexts, especially in news and media. When writing, use it judiciously to maintain its impact, reserving it for situations where there is a clear ethical, logical, or practical flaw. Alternative phrases like "cannot be justified", "is inexcusable", and "is unjustifiable" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is indefensible

Directly parallels the original phrase, maintaining the same focus but avoids repetition

cannot be justified

Focuses on the lack of justification rather than defensibility.

is inexcusable

Highlights the lack of excuse or pardon for something.

is without excuse

Highlights the lack of any possible excuse.

is unjustifiable

Emphasizes the absence of a valid justification.

has no defense

Shifts the focus to the absence of a defensive argument or strategy.

is unpardonable

Stresses the inability to forgive or pardon.

is beyond justification

Emphasizes the extreme lack of justification.

is unsustainable

Highlights the inability to maintain or defend something over time, often used in environmental or economic contexts.

is untenable

Focuses on the impossibility of maintaining a position or argument.

FAQs

How can I use "is indefensible" in a sentence?

You can use "is indefensible" to describe actions, decisions, or arguments that cannot be justified or defended. For example, "The company's environmental policy "is indefensible" due to its blatant disregard for pollution standards."

What are some alternatives to "is indefensible"?

Alternatives include "cannot be justified", "is inexcusable", or "is unjustifiable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "is indefensible"?

Use "is indefensible" when expressing strong disagreement or condemnation of something that lacks any reasonable defense or justification. It's suitable for highlighting ethical, logical, or practical flaws.

What's the difference between "is indefensible" and "is questionable"?

"Is indefensible" indicates that something has no valid defense, while "is questionable" simply suggests that something is doubtful or uncertain. "Is questionable" implies a need for further scrutiny, whereas "is indefensible" implies clear wrongdoing or error.