defensible
Able to justify
Defensible describes something that can be defended—whether physically, logically, or morally.
A defensible position in warfare offers natural advantages against attack.
A defensible argument can withstand criticism.
The word often appears when someone anticipates challenge: Is this decision defensible?
The opposite, indefensible, implies something that cannot reasonably be justified.
Properly justified or sanctioned
- legitimateConforming to accepted standards
- excusableWarranting forgiveness
- permissibleSanctioned by authority
- tenableCapable of being defended
reasonable · valid · sound · vindicated · acceptable · ethical · lawful · fair
Capable of being defended
- logicalBased on valid reasoning
- soundAudible wave phenomenon
- rationalGoverned by logic
- plausibleAppearing worthy of belief
credible · coherent · persuasive · convincing · substantiated · supportable · reasoned · cogent
Fortified place of defense
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
- bastionFortified defensive position
- rampartFortified defensive wall
battlements · bulwark · palisade · parapet · redoubt · entrenchment · garrison · moat
Kept from harm
- guardedWary and restrained
- fortifiedMade more resistant
- shieldedProtected from harm
- safeguardedKept from harm
impregnable · invulnerable · safe · sheltered · barricaded · reinforced · hardened · locked down
warranted
Properly justified or sanctioned
- legitimateConforming to accepted standards
- excusableWarranting forgiveness
- permissibleSanctioned by authority
tenable · reasonable · valid · sound · vindicated · acceptable · ethical · lawful · fair · equitable
tenable
Capable of being defended
plausible · credible · coherent · persuasive · convincing · substantiated · supportable · reasoned · cogent · consistent
stronghold
Fortified place of defense
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
- bastionFortified defensive position
rampart · battlements · bulwark · palisade · parapet · redoubt · entrenchment · garrison · moat · barbican
protected
Kept from harm
safeguarded · impregnable · invulnerable · safe · sheltered · barricaded · reinforced · hardened · locked down · secured
- logical thinkinglogical, rational, analytical, deductive, inferential
- feasibilityfeasibility, feasible, viability, viable, practicality
- blamelessinnocent, guiltless, faultless, blameless, cleared
defensibleindefensible
Cannot be justified
untenable · unsupportable · insupportable · unsustainable · unsound
defensibleindefensible
Cannot be justified
unjustifiable · inexcusable · unforgivable · unpardonable · wrong
defensibleindefensible
Cannot be justified
vulnerable · undefended · exposed · unprotected · unsecured
indefensible, indefensibly, defensibly, defensibility, indefensibility