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Defensible Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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defensible

[dɪˈfɛnsəb(ə)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

legal

Capable of being defended against attack or criticism. Able to be justified or supported.

Synonyms

acceptable, justifiable, reasonable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
defensible

This word is mistakenly repeated, refer instead to 'defensible' above for appropriate usage.

  • N/A
justifiable

Use when an action or decision can be shown to be right or reasonable, often implying thorough reasoning or evidence behind it.

  • Her anger was justifiable considering the circumstances
reasonable

Use when something is fair and sensible, often in daily decision-making or judgments.

  • It's reasonable to expect employees to arrive on time
acceptable

Use when something meets minimum standards or is considered satisfactory by most people.

  • The student's excuse for missing class was acceptable to the teacher

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer presented a defensible argument in court.
  • The decision was defensible based on the available evidence.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Able to be maintained or upheld. Capable of being protected or supported.

Synonyms

protected, safe, secure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
defensible

Use 'defensible' when something can be justified or supported, often in a logical or legal context.

  • The professor's argument is defensible with the data provided.
  • The lawyer prepared a defensible case for his client.

Examples of usage

  • The fortress was considered defensible against enemy attacks.
  • His position was defensible given the circumstances.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

  • In legal terms, a 'defensible' position is one that can be sufficiently justified during a court case.
  • The concept of defensible rights suggests that individuals can claim their rights based on rational arguments.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers discuss the defensibility of ethical theories, analyzing whether certain moral principles can be supported or justified.
  • In ethics, a defensible stance means that you can provide solid reasoning for why a belief or action is right or wrong.

Military

  • In military strategy, a defensible position refers to a location that can effectively be protected against attacks.
  • Historical battles often hinged on whether a position was defensible, impacting the outcome of military engagements.

Business

  • In business negotiations, a defensible strategy is one that can withstand criticism and can be backed up with data.
  • Launching a product requires a defensible market position, ensuring that it is well-supported by customer demand and competition analysis.

Origin of 'defensible'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'defensibel,' which means capable of being defended.
  • It has roots in the Old French word 'defensable' and ultimately traces back to the Latin 'defendere,' meaning to ward off or protect.

The word 'defensible' originated from the Middle English word 'defensable', which came from the Old French word 'defensable'. It ultimately traces back to the Latin word 'defensibilis', from 'defens-' (past participle stem of 'defendere' meaning 'to defend') + '-ibilis' (suffix forming adjectives). The concept of being able to defend or justify something has been a fundamental aspect of human societies throughout history, leading to the development and usage of the word 'defensible'.

See also: defenseless, defenselessly, defenses, defensibility, defensively, defensiveness, indefensible.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,733, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.