untenable
Americanadjective
-
(of an argument, thesis, strategy, etc.) incapable of being defended; indefensible.
I do not regard atheism as an untenable stance toward the world.
-
(of a situation or condition) incapable of being sustained or maintained over time.
A number of exporters have called for the measure to be withdrawn, maintaining it has imposed an untenable strain on their working capital.
- Synonyms:
- questionable, weak, unsound, groundless, baseless
-
not fit to be occupied, as an apartment, house, etc.
adjective
-
(of theories, propositions, etc) incapable of being maintained, defended, or vindicated
-
unable to be maintained against attack
-
rare (of a house, etc) unfit for occupation
Other Word Forms
- untenability noun
- untenableness noun
- untenably adverb
Etymology
Origin of untenable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Head teachers are struggling to find a work-life balance as they describe the pressures in their schools as "exhausting and untenable".
From BBC
It said: "Antonia's obsession with promoting her personal brand over the work and priorities of HMG has created an untenably tense and bullying atmosphere for all staff".
From BBC
Estrangement is untenable - but the frayed ties still demand a reset.
From BBC
She was one of the first MPs to call for the prime minister to stand down, saying his position was untenable.
From BBC
"His position now is untenable, because if he thinks that bad advice is enough for Morgan McSweeney to go, then, yes, I think that makes his position untenable."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
