untenable — 1640s, incapable of being held against attack, from UN (Cf. un ) (1) not + pp. of TENABLE (Cf. tenable). Figurative sense is recorded from 1690s … Etymology dictionary
untenable — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection … English terms dictionary
untenable — [unten′ə bəl] adj. 1. that cannot be held, defended, or maintained 2. incapable of being tenanted or occupied untenability n. untenableness … English World dictionary
untenable — un|ten|a|ble [ʌnˈtenəbəl] adj formal 1.) an untenable situation has become so difficult that it is impossible to continue ▪ The scandal put the President in an untenable position . 2.) an untenable argument, suggestion etc is impossible to defend … Dictionary of contemporary English
untenable — [[t]ʌ̱nte̱nəb(ə)l[/t]] ADJ GRADED: usu v link ADJ An argument, theory, or position that is untenable cannot be defended successfully against criticism or attack. This argument is untenable from an intellectual, moral and practical standpoint...… … English dictionary
untenable — adjective an untenable theory, argument etc is impossible to defend against criticism: untenable position: The scandal left the President in an untenable position … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
untenable — adjective Date: 1647 1. not able to be defended < an untenable position > 2. not able to be occupied < untenable apartments > • untenability noun … New Collegiate Dictionary
untenable — un|ten|a|ble [ ʌn tenəbl ] adjective impossible to continue because of serious problems, opposition, or criticism: She left, saying her job had become untenable. a. impossible to defend as fair, appropriate, or true: Their actions are untenable … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
untenable — UK [ʌnˈtenəb(ə)l] / US adjective a) impossible to continue because of serious problems, opposition, or criticism She left, saying her job had become untenable. b) impossible to defend as fair, suitable, or true Their actions are untenable … English dictionary
untenable — adjective Not able to be held, as of an opinion or position; unholdable, indefensible. The theory of cold fusion was untenable. Ant: tenable, defensible See Also: tenant … Wiktionary
