If you say that a statement, action, or idea is indefensible, you mean that it cannot be justified or supported because it is completely wrong or unacceptable.
His action was indefensible.
She described the new policy as 'morally indefensible'.
Synonyms: unforgivable, wrong, inexcusable, unjustifiable More Synonyms of indefensible
The indefensible is something which is indefensible.
To argue otherwise is trying to defend the indefensible.
2. adjective
Places or buildings that are indefensible cannot be defended if they are attacked.
The checkpoint was abandoned as militarily indefensible.
indefensible in British English
(ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsəbəl)
adjective
1.
not justifiable or excusable
2.
capable of being disagreed with; untenable
3.
incapable of defence against attack
Derived forms
indefensibility (ˌindeˌfensiˈbility) or indefensibleness (ˌindeˈfensibleness)
noun
indefensibly (ˌindeˈfensibly)
adverb
indefensible in American English
(ˌɪndiˈfɛnsəbəl; ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsəbəl)
adjective
1.
that cannot be defended or protected
2.
that cannot be justified or excused; inexcusable
Derived forms
indefensibility (ˌindeˌfensiˈbility)
noun
indefensibly (ˌindeˈfensibly)
adverb
Examples of 'indefensible' in a sentence
indefensible
This means that universal credit changes will today become politically indefensible.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
To do so would clearly be morally indefensible.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now it is abruptly condemned as morally indefensible and politically anachronistic.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But letting criminals off lightly to save money would be morally indefensible.
The Sun (2015)
It is bad enough we find ourselves in an intellectually indefensible position.
The Sun (2015)
When that censorship is endorsed by a legal judgment it becomes indefensible and sinister.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The blockade has long since become indefensible.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
If this is so, it is worse than morally indefensible.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But to risk an animal's wellbeing in the heat of a race is indefensible and unacceptable.
The Sun (2009)
If these were switched off, the licence fee would become indefensible.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I find walking boots morally indefensible in their ugliness.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The judge said that this position was indefensible and there are many innocent people whose DNA is on the database who feel the same.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It is absurd and morally indefensible to continue with a policy that causes so much hardship, misery and wastes councils' time and resources.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
(adjective)
Definition
(of behaviour or statements) unable to be justified or supported
She described their actions as `morally indefensible'.
Synonyms
unforgivable
These people are animals and what they did was unforgivable.
wrong
inexcusable
He said the killing of innocent people was inexcusable.
unjustifiable
Using these missiles to down civilian aircraft is unjustifiable.
untenable
He claimed the charges against him were untenable.
unpardonable
an unpardonable lack of discipline
insupportable
This is an increasingly insupportable argument in these times.
unwarrantable
Opposites
legitimate,
justifiable
,
defensible
,
tenable
,
forgivable
,
excusable
,
supportable
,
pardonable
,
warrantable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inexcusable
Definition
too bad to be justified or tolerated
He said the killing of innocent people was inexcusable.
Synonyms
unforgivable,
indefensible,
unjustifiable,
outrageous,
unpardonable,
unwarrantable,
inexpiable
in the sense of insupportable
Definition
incapable of being upheld or justified
This is an increasingly insupportable argument in these times.
Synonyms
unjustifiable,
untenable,
indefensible
in the sense of unjustifiable
Definition
inexcusably wrong or unfair
Using these missiles to down civilian aircraft is unjustifiable.