Skip to main content

defeasible — capable of being defeated, revoked, or made void; not absolute or final

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: capable of being defeated, revoked, or made void; not absolute or final

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈfiːzəbəl/

Example Sentences

  • My New Year's resolution to exercise daily proved to be quite defeasible when I discovered Netflix had new shows.
  • The property rights were defeasible upon the discovery of any archaeological artifacts.
  • His confidence in winning the debate was completely defeasible - one tough question and he crumbled like a cookie.

defeasible

ADJECTIVE

[/dɪˈfiːzəbəl/]

capable of being defeated, revoked, or made void; not absolute or final

a confident businessman holds up a signed contract with a triumphant smile. Another executive suddenly stands up and points to a small clause in a thick legal document. The first businessman's expression changes from confidence to shock as he realizes his contract can be nullified. Other board members lean in to examine the legal loophole that makes the agreement voidable. how something seemingly final and absolute can actually be defeated and made void when circumstances change
💡 Concept

a confident businessman holds up a signed contract with a triumphant smile. Another executive suddenly stands up and points to a small clause in a thick legal document. The first businessman's expression changes from confidence to shock as he realizes his contract can be nullified. Other board members lean in to examine the legal loophole that makes the agreement voidable. how something seemingly final and absolute can actually be defeated and made void when circumstances change

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

Start FreeDemo

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈfiːzəbəl/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈfiːzəbəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootdefeat
Suffix--ible

Origin

From Medieval Latin 'defeasible', derived from the Old French 'defaire' meaning 'to undo' or 'to defeat'. Originally a legal term meaning something that can be annulled or made void.

Breakdown

de- (away/undoing) + feas- (from Latin facere, to do/make) + -ible (able to be)

🎵Rhyme

feasiblereasonablepleasurable
feasible
reasonable
pleasurable

🔗Collocations

defeasible reasoning
defeasible logic
defeasible title
defeasible interest
defeasible estate
defeasible claim

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My New Year's resolution to exercise daily proved to be quite defeasible when I discovered Netflix had new shows.”

“The property rights were defeasible upon the discovery of any archaeological artifacts.”

😄 Fun example

“His confidence in winning the debate was completely defeasible - one tough question and he crumbled like a cookie.”

“Legal scholars argue that certain constitutional principles should be defeasible under extreme circumstances.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

revocablevoidablecancelableannullablereversible

Antonyms

irrevocableabsolutepermanent

Related

defeatfeasibledefensibleinvalidconditional

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.

Start for Free60s Demo