looks defensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks defensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when assessing the validity or strength of an argument, position, or statement, suggesting that it appears to be justifiable or reasonable. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, her argument looks defensible against criticism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Bill Richardson, Mr Clinton's beleaguered energy secretary, insists the move has nothing to do with politics: its aim, he says, is simply "to ensure that Americans have the fuel they need to heat their homes".On the surface, the move looks defensible.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But the double standard looks steadily less defensible today.

The Guardian

Some of his ideas seem defensible.

The New York Times

He is here to demonstrate what morally defensible journalism looks like.

The New York Times - Books

Regardless of the reason, it certainly was a questionable decision, and it made Mr. Braunstein's statement about transparency with regulators look even less defensible.

The New York Times

Basecamp became one of the most popular productivity platforms for small businesses without it, but that position looks a little bit more defensible now that it does.

TechCrunch

But even though Mr. Pitt's coolness is a perfectly defensible approach to this character, his elusiveness, from one film to the next, is starting to look more defensive than daring.

The New York Times

The fact that the shutdown strategy is getting so much criticism from people on the right only makes it look worse and less defensible.

Vice

First, he looks for companies that have at least two of four characteristics: dominant market share, low production costs, a proprietary asset and ownership of a "defensible" brand name.

The New York Times

If Mr. Romney's points were to be reformulated in a more defensible direction, the outline might look something like this: OF MAKING AND TAKING The correct distinction is not "makers versus takers".

The New York Times

In other words, they looked at all five matrices to determine defensible strategies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks defensible" when you want to convey that something appears justifiable or reasonable upon initial assessment, but you might need more information to confirm its validity.

Common error

Avoid using "looks defensible" when you have conclusive evidence. This phrase is best suited for situations where you're making a preliminary judgment based on available information, but further investigation might be necessary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "looks defensible" is to act as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the subject's apparent state or quality, indicating that something appears to be justifiable or reasonable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks defensible" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, signifying that something appears justifiable or reasonable. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to provide a qualified assessment, suggesting further evaluation might be needed. While not overly formal, it's suitable for professional and news contexts, where a degree of objectivity is valued. Its usage frequency is uncommon, but it appears consistently in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems justifiable

Emphasizes the justification aspect, suggesting something has reasons to support it.

appears reasonable

Highlights the rationality and soundness of something's appearance.

seems plausible

Focuses on the believability or credibility of something at first glance.

appears valid

Indicates that something seems to have a solid foundation or is well-grounded.

seems supportable

Suggests that something has the potential to be backed up or defended.

appears maintainable

Focuses on the aspect of keeping something valid or justified over time.

seems sustainable

Highlights the capacity of something to be upheld or continued without weakening.

appears sound

Emphasizes the reliability and robustness of something's apparent state.

seems tenable

Implies that a position or argument is capable of being defended against attack or criticism.

looks sustainable

Focuses on the capacity of something to be upheld or continued without weakening.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks defensible" to describe an argument, plan, or decision that seems reasonable or justifiable at first glance. For example, "After reviewing the initial data, the proposed strategy "looks defensible", but further analysis is needed."

What are some alternatives to "looks defensible"?

Alternatives to "looks defensible" include "seems justifiable", "appears reasonable", or "seems plausible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "looks defensible" formal or informal?

"Looks defensible" is generally suitable for neutral to professional contexts. While not overly formal, it's appropriate for discussions where a degree of objectivity and reasoned judgment is expected.

What does it mean when something "looks defensible"?

When something "looks defensible", it means that based on the available information, it appears to be justifiable or reasonable. However, this doesn't necessarily mean it is definitively defensible; further scrutiny may be required.