Unsupportable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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unsupportable
[หษnsษหpรดrtษb(ษ)l ]
Definition
adjective describing something that cannot be supported
Not capable of being supported or defended; impossible to justify or maintain.
Synonyms
indefensible, unjustifiable, unsustainable, untenable.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| unsupportable |
Use 'unsupportable' when referring to something that cannot be maintained or backed up, often due to lack of resources or feasibility.
|
| untenable |
Use 'untenable' when something cannot be maintained or held, often in reference to arguments, positions, or situations that are logically or practically indefensible.
|
| indefensible |
Use 'indefensible' when describing something that cannot be justified or defended, often from a moral or logical standpoint. This word generally carries a negative connotation.
|
| unsustainable |
Use 'unsustainable' to talk about situations or practices that cannot continue in the long term, often due to environmental, economic, or resource limitations.
|
| unjustifiable |
Use 'unjustifiable' to describe actions or decisions that lack a valid reason or explanation, often implying that any reason given would be insufficient. This word also generally carries a negative connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- His argument was so unsupportable that no one believed him.
- The weight of the evidence made the defendant's position unsupportable.
- Her actions were deemed unsupportable by her colleagues.
- The company faced an unsupportable financial burden.
- The decision to cut funding was considered unsupportable by many.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Legal Context
- In law, claims can be deemed 'unsupportable' if there is insufficient evidence to back them up.
- Legal standards often require a compelling reason to avoid deeming a position unsupportable in court.
- Judges regularly evaluate whether arguments presented are supportable, affecting case outcomes.
Philosophical Perspectives
- Philosophers debate the idea of supportability, questioning whether beliefs can be supported without empirical evidence.
- In ethics, an unsupportable claim might lead to discussions about moral relativism versus absolute truths.
- The principle of justification is crucial in philosophy, examining why some beliefs are deemed unsupportable.
Psychology
- Cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals hold an unsupportable belief, causing mental discomfort.
- People often rationalize unsupportable views to maintain coherence in their belief systems.
- The challenge of facing an unsupportable argument can lead to motivated reasoning, where one seeks evidence to fit their beliefs.
Everyday Usage
- The term is frequently used in discussions to critique positions that lack strong backing or evidence.
- In debates, labeling a counter-argument as unsupportable can weaken the opposing side's credibility.
- In everyday conversations, calling something unsupportable often prompts deeper examination of the topic.
Origin of 'unsupportable'
Main points about word origin
- The prefix 'un-' means 'not', so 'unsupportable' literally means 'not able to be supported.'
- The root 'support' comes from Old French 'suporter', which means to carry or bear.
- The word has been used in English since the late 16th century, evolving from earlier forms.
The word 'unsupportable' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'supportable', which comes from the Latin word 'supportare' meaning 'to support'. The term has been used in the English language for centuries to describe situations or arguments that are unable to be justified or maintained.
See also: insupportable, support, supported, supporter, supporters, supporting, supportive, supportively, supportiveness, supports, unsupported.