less defensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less defensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing arguments, positions, or actions that are weaker or more vulnerable to criticism or challenge. Example: "The new policy is less defensible than the previous one, as it lacks sufficient evidence to support its effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But the double standard looks steadily less defensible today.

The Guardian

What was less defensible, he states, was the Gallup organization's lack of transparency about its methodology.

The New Yorker

Even less defensible is the film's atrocious treatment of abortion, which is discussed in a deeply negative way.

The Guardian - Film

When, near his seventy-fifth birthday, depression struck again, it found an older, softer, and much less defensible target.

The New Yorker

The neutrality favoured by some of the Union's countries during the cold war has become less defensible since.

The Economist

But as Birgitte's paranoia and tunnel vision grew stronger, to me her demands became ever less defensible.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yet, rather like the even less defensible West Berlin during the cold war, they have gained a symbolic importance that means they cannot be abandoned.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The greater the advances in genetic research, the less eugenics appeared defensible or even within reach.

The New Yorker

Packer: Jon Lee is absolutely right, and I thought that passage was one of the less thoughtful or defensible in the book.

The New Yorker

Yet after chatting with representatives at several GPS tracking companies and trying out their products, I learned that there are many less icky, entirely defensible uses for such devices.

The New York Times

There were many nominations, ranging from the predictable ("Psycho," "Rosemary's Baby") to the less predictable but still defensible ("American Werewolf in London," "Deliverance") to the inexplicable ("Touch of Evil"? "Mutiny on the Bounty"?).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less defensible", ensure you clearly articulate why something is difficult to defend. Provide specific reasons or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "less defensible" when you mean completely indefensible. The phrase implies some level of possible, though weak, justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less defensible" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It is used to qualify a noun or idea, indicating that it has weakened in its capacity to be supported or justified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a proper and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less defensible" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is more difficult to justify or support, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context and explain why something is "less defensible". Alternatives include "more vulnerable" or "harder to justify". Be careful not to overstate your case by using it when something is truly indefensible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less justifiable

Direct synonym focusing on the lack of justification.

more untenable

Highlights the impossibility of defending or maintaining the position.

more vulnerable

Focuses on the susceptibility to attack or criticism.

more open to criticism

Highlights the increased likelihood of being criticized.

harder to justify

Emphasizes the difficulty in providing a valid reason or explanation.

less supportable

Focuses on the lack of evidence or backing.

more questionable

Implies doubt or uncertainty about the validity.

more difficult to maintain

Highlights the challenge of sustaining a position or argument.

less convincing

Focuses on the lack of persuasiveness.

weaker

A broader term indicating a lack of strength or validity.

FAQs

How can I use "less defensible" in a sentence?

You can use "less defensible" to describe arguments, positions, or actions that are harder to justify or defend. For example, "The new policy is "less defensible" than the previous one because it lacks clear evidence of effectiveness."

What are some alternatives to "less defensible"?

You can use alternatives like "more vulnerable", "harder to justify", or "less justifiable" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean for something to be "less defensible"?

When something is "less defensible", it means that it is more difficult to justify, support, or protect from criticism. It suggests that while not impossible to defend, the arguments or reasons in its favor are weak or unconvincing.

Is "less defensible" the same as "indefensible"?

No, "less defensible" and "indefensible" have different meanings. "Less defensible" implies that there might be some weak arguments in its favor, whereas "indefensible" means that there are no valid arguments to support it.