Defensibility: meaning, definitions and examples

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defensibility

[dɪˈfɛnsɪˈbɪlɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in legal terms

The quality of being able to be defended or justified; the ability to withstand criticism or attack.

Synonyms

credibility, justifiability, tenability.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
defensibility	Defensibility is typically used in contexts where one needs to discuss how well a position, argument, or belief can be defended against criticism or attack. This term often appears in legal, scientific, or strategic discussions. The defensibility of their scientific hypothesis was called into question during the peer review. In terms of strategic planning, the defensibility of the proposed location was a critical consideration.
justifiability	Justifiability is used when evaluating whether an action, decision, or belief can be justified or deemed reasonable. It often appears in ethical debates, law, and reasoning. The justifiability of their actions is still a subject of intense debate among the ethics committee members. She questioned the justifiability of spending so much money on the new equipment.
tenability	Tenability refers to the ability of an argument, theory, or position to be maintained or upheld, often under scrutiny or in light of evidence. It is frequently used in academic, legal, and philosophical discussions. The tenability of his theory has been repeatedly challenged by recent findings. She questioned the tenability of their position in the legal case.
credibility	Credibility is used when discussing the believability or trustworthiness of a person, statement, or source. It's common in journalism, business, and personal reputation contexts. The journalist’s credibility was damaged after the publication of the false report. To enhance the credibility of the study, peer-reviewed sources were cited extensively.

Examples of usage

The defensibility of the decision was questioned by the opposing party.
Without clear evidence, the defensibility of the argument was weak.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in strategic terms

The capability of defending against an enemy attack or maintaining a position of strength.

Synonyms

fortification, protection, security.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
defensibility	Similar to the first 'defensibility', this can also refer to how well something can be protected or justified, especially in a discussion about strategy or feasibility. The plan's defensibility was questioned during the meeting. They examined the defensibility of their new security measures.
security	Refers to the state of being free from danger or threat, both physical and abstract; commonly used in everyday conversation and professional environments. They invested in new security systems for the office. National security is a top priority for the government.
protection	General and broad use in various contexts where something or someone needs to be kept safe from harm. They wore helmets for protection during the construction. Insurance provides financial protection in case of emergencies.
fortification	Used when talking about physical structures built to protect an area from attack. The ancient fortification still stands strong after centuries. They worked on fortification of the city walls before the siege.

Examples of usage

The defensibility of the fortress was crucial in the battle.
Strategic planning focused on enhancing the defensibility of the territory.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'defensibilis', which means 'able to be defended'.
It combines 'defense' from Latin 'defensio' and the suffix '-bility' which means 'capable of'.
The use of the term has evolved to encompass various fields, including business and law, beyond military contexts.

Law

In a legal context, defensibility refers to the strength of a legal argument that can withstand challenges.
Defensive strategies in lawsuits often hinge on the defensibility of evidence and testimonies presented.
The concept is critical in litigation, influencing how lawyers prepare for trial.

Business Strategy

Companies assess the defensibility of their market position to determine how well they can protect themselves from competitors.
Strong defensibility can include patents, copyrights, or unique business practices that competitors cannot easily replicate.
Firms with robust defensibility create barriers that make it hard for others to enter the market.

Psychology

In psychology, defensibility can describe the mental strategies people use to protect themselves from criticism or hurt.
Cognitive dissonance theory explores how individuals defend their beliefs when faced with contradictory information.
A defensible position in arguments can influence interpersonal dynamics and conflict resolution.

Politics

Defensibility of political policies often determines their acceptance and success among the public.
Strategies in international relations often revolve around a country's defensibility against threats, both military and economic.
Political discourse frequently involves evaluating the defensibility of positions taken by leaders and parties.

Translations

Translations of the word "defensibility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 defensibilidade

🇮🇳 रक्षात्मकता

🇩🇪 Verteidigungsfähigkeit

🇮🇩 kemampuan bertahan

🇺🇦 захищеність

🇵🇱 obronność

🇯🇵 防御可能性 (ぼうぎょかのうせい)

🇫🇷 défendabilité

🇪🇸 defensibilidad

🇹🇷 savunulabilirlik

🇰🇷 방어 가능성 (bang-eo ganeunseong)

🇸🇦 قابلية الدفاع

🇨🇿 obhajitelnost

🇸🇰 obhájiteľnosť

🇨🇳 防御能力 (fángyù nénglì)

🇸🇮 obrambnost

🇮🇸 varnarhæfni

🇰🇿 қорғану қабілеттілігі

🇬🇪 დაცვისუნარიანობა

🇦🇿 müdafiə qabiliyyəti

🇲🇽 defensibilidad