this is indefensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is indefensible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something cannot be justified or defended, often in a moral or logical context. Example: "The actions taken by the organization were so unethical that this is indefensible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This is indefensible".

Independent

When millions of people are facing pay cuts or even unemployment, this is indefensible.

Independent

As much as I love Apple, this is indefensible, silly even.

TechCrunch

The severity of non-penetrative assaults is downplayed so as to keep four-year graduation rates high, and expulsion and suspension rates low; this is indefensible.

Huffington Post

This is indefensible from an ethical standpoint because we know that the animals we kill, unlike plants, are sentient social creatures who experience pain and fear.

Huffington Post

"Given that we now have a global economy of $30 trillion annually, this is indefensible".

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This was indefensible.

The New York Times

I happen to think that that is indefensible".

The New York Times

This law is indefensible.

The New York Times

"This waste is indefensible when patients can't the treatments they need and nurses were denied a 1% pay rise".

The Guardian

You can't defend it all, because a lot of this stuff is indefensible, and it's not predictable, so it's hard to mitigate".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is indefensible", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific action or situation being criticized. Providing concrete details strengthens your argument and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "this is indefensible" for minor inconveniences or disagreements. Reserve it for situations involving significant ethical, moral, or logical flaws to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is indefensible" functions as a declarative statement expressing strong condemnation or disapproval. It asserts that a particular action, situation, or argument cannot be justified or defended. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammatical rules and is frequently found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is indefensible" is a declarative statement used to express strong disapproval or condemnation, asserting that something cannot be justified or defended. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's most impactful when reserved for significant ethical or logical flaws, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Alternative phrases like "this is inexcusable" or "this is unjustifiable" can offer nuanced expressions of similar sentiments. Its assertive tone makes it suitable for formal and professional settings, yet it maintains relevance even in more informal discussions when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is inexcusable

Replaces "indefensible" with "inexcusable", focusing on the lack of justification or pardon for an action.

this is unjustifiable

Substitutes "indefensible" with "unjustifiable", emphasizing the absence of a valid reason or excuse.

this is unpardonable

Replaces "indefensible" with "unpardonable", highlighting that the act is beyond forgiveness or excuse.

this is unacceptable

Changes "indefensible" to "unacceptable", focusing on the failure to meet required standards of behavior or quality.

this cannot be justified

Rephrases "this is indefensible" to a passive construction emphasizing that no justification exists.

this is not defensible

Replaces "indefensible" with "not defensible", a more literal negation of being able to defend something.

this is beyond justification

Expresses that something exceeds any possibility of being justified, rather than simply lacking justification.

this is unwarranted

Replaces "indefensible" with "unwarranted", indicating a lack of due cause or reason.

there is no excuse for this

Shifts from describing a quality to stating a complete absence of any excusing factor.

this action is inexcusable

Replaces "indefensible" with "inexcusable" and adds the noun action to highlight the nature of the subject in question.

FAQs

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

Use "this is indefensible" to express strong disapproval or the impossibility of justifying something, as in, "Given the environmental damage, this policy "is indefensible"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "this is indefensible"?

Similar phrases include "this is inexcusable", "this is unjustifiable", and "this is unacceptable", all conveying the idea that something cannot be defended or justified.

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

It is appropriate to use "this is indefensible" in situations where actions, decisions, or policies are seen as morally, ethically, or logically wrong and cannot be reasonably defended or justified.

Is "this is indefensible" a formal or informal expression?

"This is indefensible" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it carries a strong assertive tone. It is frequently found in news articles, academic papers, and professional discussions.