indefensible

UK: /ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsɪb^əl/

US: /ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsəbəl/

US: (in′di fen′sə bəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•de•fen•si•ble /ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsəbəl/   adj. 

1. not justifiable:
   indefensible treatment.
2. incapable of being defended:
   We are in an indefensible position, unless we can call in air strikes.

in•de•fen•si•bly, adv. See -fend-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•de•fen•si•ble  (in′di fen′sə bəl), adj. 

1. not justifiable;
   inexcusable:
   indefensible behavior.
2. incapable of being protected or defended against attack:
   an indefensible town.
3. incapable of being defended against criticism or denial;
   untenable:
   indefensible argument.

• in-³ + defensible 1520–30

in′de•fen′si•bil′i•ty, in′de•fen′si•ble•ness, n. 
in′de•fen′si•bly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 2. . vulnerable, defenseless, unprotected.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

indefensible / ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsəb^əl/ adjective

1. not justifiable or excusable
2. capable of being disagreed with; untenable
3. incapable of defence against attack

ˌindeˌfensiˈbility, ˌindeˈfensibleness noun

ˌindeˈfensibly adverb